A Legal Mapping Analysis and Model Bylaw of Massachusetts Municipal Accessory Dwelling Units

Abstract

Adapting the built-environment to include an accessory-dwelling unit (ADU) is one alternative housing solution for community-dwelling older adults (CDOA) to age-in-place and avoid institutionalization. ADUs are one form of the built-environment in which the field of public health law can intervene to accommodate population aging. Under Massachusetts law MGL c. 40A, the state gives authority to municipalities to adopt zoning bylaws to regulate the use of land, buildings, and structures. A legal mapping content analysis was employed to quantify Massachusetts municipalities’ ( N=351) ADU zoning ordinances using the ADU Friendliness Score instrument and to describe the characteristics of ADU availability across the state. Results are organized into four ordinal categories of POOR (score 0–24; 24%), FAIR (score 25–49; 8.5%), GOOD (score 50–74; 53%), and EXCELLENT (score 75–100%; 13.5%). An age-and-disability specific model ADU bylaw is reported as an outcome of this research.