ADU Owner Occupancy: Boston vs Revere
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Boston, MA and Revere, MA?
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
The 2024 Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act prohibits cities from requiring owner occupancy as a condition of building or renting an ADU. Boston previously required owner occupancy under its ADU pilot but state preemption has removed this requirement for by-right ADUs under 900 sq ft. Owner-occupancy mandates are no longer enforceable on single-family lots.
View full Boston rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
No data available yet for Revere.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| State Preemption | AHA 2024 prohibits owner-occupancy mandates | - |
| Prior Boston Rule | Owner occupancy required pre-2024 | - |
| Current Standard | Not required for by-right ADUs | - |
| Variance ADUs | May still require owner occupancy | - |
| Investor Use | Now permitted | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Does Boston require owner-occupancy for an ADU?
No. The 2024 Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act prohibits Boston from requiring owner occupancy as a condition for building or renting a by-right ADU on a single-family lot.
Can I buy a Boston home and rent out both the house and the ADU?
Yes for by-right ADUs under the state law. Both units can be rented to separate tenants without an owner-occupancy mandate, as long as zoning, building code, and rental registration requirements are met.
Revere FAQ
No FAQs available.
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