Massachusetts Zoning Updates – What Property Owners and Developers Need to Know

Short summary

Governor Healey signed the Massachusetts FY2027 Budget with immediate amendments to zoning law G.L. c40A, creating a more flexible variance standard that considers housing production as a public interest factor. Key changes include a two-year variance exercise period, electronic notice requirements, extended nonconforming use protections, and a 24-month zoning freeze for approved projects. These reforms aim to accelerate residential housing production across the state.

• •New variance standard replaces significant hardship with practical difficulty test, factoring in housing need
• •Variance exercise period extended to two years; zoning freeze extended to 24 months for approved projects
• •Nonconforming residential structures can be altered without special permit if current dimensional rules are met

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