Burlington Planning Board Advances ADU Zoning Amendment Ahead of February 7 State Deadline

BURLINGTON -- January 16, 2025, Burlington moves to cap accessory dwelling units at one per lot ahead of a February 7 state deadline. The Planning Board voted 6-0 Thursday to recommend favorable action on a zoning bylaw amendment aligning Burlington's rules with the state's Affordable Homes Act, signed by Governor Healey in August 2024. Town Counsel warned the board that the state's final ADU regulations, expected February 2, are still not complete, saying that if the bylaw conflicts with those rules "the building inspector is just going to have to ignore it and issue the permit according to the regulations." The amendment limits ADUs to one per lot, bars detached units from being sited in front of the principal dwelling, and requires connection to municipal water and sewer. The measure goes to town meeting on January 27, where it appears as Warrant Article 9 among 18 total articles, with zoning items listed first on the agenda.