============================================================ TITLE: What Home Buyers Should Know About Accessory Dwelling Units TYPE: article VERSION: 1 VERSION_ID: bbd7bd28-21c8-444f-b983-c6364b088cde GENERATED_AT: 2026-03-19T00:19:02.114Z SUMMARY: In the Massachusetts, the simplest definition of an accessory dwelling unit is that they are secondary dwellings on a primary residential property.  AUTHOR: Buyers Brokers Only, LLC DATE PUBLISHED: August 6, 2024 READING TIME: 6 min WORD COUNT: 1101 SOURCE URL: https://www.buyersbrokersonly.com/video/what-home-buyers-should-know-about-accessory-dwelling-units ============================================================ KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Have a Question? We're Happy to Help You. * Homebuyer Workshop * Home Buyer Testimonials * The Latest Home Listings * Home Buyer Resources * Homes Home Listings Get Property Updates * Home Listings * Get Property Updates * Agents * Resources Home-buying Blog Buyer Beware! MA Buying Guide NH Buying Guide Homebuyer Checklist Mortgage Resources Home-buying Articles Relocation Blog Home Loan Referral Video * Home-buying Blog * Buyer Beware! * MA Buying Guide * NH Buying Guide * Homebuyer Checklist * Mortgage Resources * Home-buying Articles * Relocation Blog * Home Loan Referral * Video * About Testimonials FAQ Site Map Learn About Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms of Service Press Room Home * Testimonials * FAQ * Site Map * Learn About Us * Disclaimer * Privacy Policy * Terms of Service * Press Room * Home * Book a Consultation * Home Listings * Get Property Updates * Home-buying Blog * Buyer Beware! * MA Buying Guide * NH Buying Guide * Homebuyer Checklist * Mortgage Resources * Home-buying Articles * Relocation Blog * Home Loan Referral * Video * Testimonials * FAQ * Site Map * Learn About Us * Disclaimer * Privacy Policy * Terms of Service * Press Room * Home # What Home Buyers Should Know About Accessory Dwelling Units ### Learn about accessory dwelling units in Massachusetts and why prospective home buyers should understand how these secondary units might affect their property. ### Originally referred to as "servant's quarters," these units have evolved over time into "mother-in-law houses," garage apartments, and detached secondary living spaces. In essence, accessory dwelling units are additional residences located on a primary residential property. They are also known as accessory apartments, guest apartments, family apartments, or in-law apartments. The following is the transcript of the video above about what Massachusetts home buyers should know about accessory dwelling units. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is not a new concept. Accessory dwelling units have been around in some form in the United States for nearly as long as housing. Once known as "servant's quarters," they morphed over the years into "mother-in-law houses," garage apartments, and detached secondary living units. The simplest definition is that accessory dwelling units are secondary dwellings on a primary residential property. Some also call an ADU an accessory apartment, guest apartment, family apartment, or in-law apartment. For a time, accessory dwelling units fell out of fashion. In recent years, they have come back into focus as an effective avenue for homeowners to increase the value or utility of their property and expand affordable housing stock. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a $5.16 billion housing bond bill on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. A key provision allows accessory dwelling units by right in single-family zoned neighborhoods statewide. These units can be basement and attic apartments, home additions, or small detached dwellings on the property. There are still rules and regulations, but the new law allows more flexibility and options. Local governments can impose reasonable regulations, such as, but not limited to, site plan review, dimensional setbacks, restrictions on the bulk and height of structures, and restrictions on and prohibition of short-term rental accessory dwelling units.There are three key points relative to the new statewide ADU regulations home buyers should know. 1. Accessory dwelling units can be up to 900 square feet or half the size of the primary home, whichever is smaller. Homeowners are not required to obtain a special permit for one ADU.2. ADU occupants are not required to be related to the property owner, which is a typical local zoning restriction. An owner does not have to occupy the property, another often-seen restriction. The accessory dwelling may require one parking space per unit; however, the law does not require any parking spaces if the unit is within one-half mile of a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal, or bus station.3. Local laws on short-term rentals, such as Airbnb, still apply, but municipalities cannot unreasonably restrict accessory dwelling units.The new provisions in the bill supersede any inconsistent local bylaws or ordinances already in existence; however, the ADU provision will not be in effect until February 2, 2025, 180 days after the Act became law.Whether a homebuyer is looking for a property with an existing ADU or is considering building one in the future, it's essential to understand available options and how regulations might impact your home-buying decisions. ### Have a Question? We're Happy to Help You. * Yes Search Latest Home Listings Free Homebuyer Consultation Wants v. Needs Worksheet Download MA Home Buyer Guide Download NH Home Buyer Guide Rhode Island Home Buyer Guide 103 Home-buying Terms First-time Home Buyer Programs 12 Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid Massachusetts Relocation Guide Find a Mortgage Professional Condo Buying Questions to Ask Subscribe to Our Blog Real Estate Market Reports Home Buyer Tips and Advice ### Homebuyer Workshop ### Home Buyer Testimonials Client: Kailee C. "I really valued the level of professionalism and reliability that [he] consistently maintained. Further, I appreciated the timely manner in which he responded to my questions ..." Client: Oksana P. "No pressure approach made the process much easier ... in spite of an aggressive moving timeline." Client: Geneva R. "The service Buyers Brokers Only, LLC provided was truly invaluable to us in finding our first home. We couldn't be happier!" Client: Mark V. & Laura V. "It was an absolute pleasure to work with ... Buyers Brokers Only, LLC. There is absolutely no reason to use anyone else." ### The Latest Home Listings ### Home Buyer Resources Massachusetts Home Buyer Guide New Hampshire Home Buyer Guide Home Buyer House Scoring Tool 103 Home Buyer Terms Download Greater Boston Home Buyer Blog ### Company ### Contact Us Schedule a Consultation Call / Text (978) 835-5906 info@buyersbrokersonly.com ### Popular Searches North Andover, MA Homes ------------------------------------------------------------ ABOUT THIS CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------ Source: https://www.buyersbrokersonly.com/video/what-home-buyers-should-know-about-accessory-dwelling-units Author: Buyers Brokers Only, LLC Published: August 6, 2024 This content is provided for informational purposes. Please visit the original source for the most up-to-date information.