Methuen, MA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Section 11.11 of the Methuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, amended in 2006 by Ord. No. 803, exists to encourage affordable housing in all new multifamily, attached dwelling, planned unit and mixed-use developments in the City of Methuen. It does not apply to standard single-family subdivisions. The applicant files the density bonus application with the Community Development Board together with the underlying multifamily, attached dwelling, planned unit or mixed-use special permit application. The Board must find that the general criteria of § 11.2B and the specific requirements of Subsection E are met.

At least 10% of the total dwelling units must be designated affordable, counting any bonus units the Board grants. Eligible households earn no more than 80% of the median income for the Lawrence-NH Statistical Metropolitan Statistical Area, adjusted for household size, and an affordable unit cannot cost an eligible household more than 30% of gross annual income in housing costs. The Board decides the number and maximum sale price of the affordable units and can grant a bonus of up to 100% for each of the four development types. The bonus still sits under a district ceiling. The printed table lists current allowable density, maximum density bonus and maximum allowable density in units per acre: 2, 2 and 4 in MA; 4, 4 and 8 in MB; 8, 8 and 16 in CBD; and 4, 4 and 8 in BL. Subsection E(7) bars any special permit from increasing or doubling the units permitted under that maximum allowable density.

Affordability is locked in. Units stay affordable in perpetuity or for as long as 760 CMR 43.03 dictates, resale controls such as deed restrictions are submitted with the application, and occupants must be income-qualified. The Board can require a cash payment to an Affordable Housing Fund, or newly created units on another site, in place of units on the development tract. Units that meet 760 CMR 45.03 are included on the Subsidized Housing Inventory, subject to approval by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.