PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With a new accessory dwelling unit ordinance and the state allowing them by-right, Pittsfield officials hope for alleviation from the housing crisis.

Last week, the City Council established an ordinance for the creation of ADUs that allows one by right on any property with a one- or two-family residential home. This includes changes to Sections 23-2 and 23-9 of the City Code.

"This is going to be good for us," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said.

Lampiasi said that anyone recently searching for a home in the city knows "It's very difficult." Thirty years down the road, she envisions these units sparking interest for prospective homebuyers whether they use the ADU for a loved one, visitors, or rent it out.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren pointed out that he petitioned for an ADU ordinance in his first term before the state took it up.

"Almost everywhere in Massachusetts, we're short of living space," he said. "And these are things that these are things that will definitely help, and they actually would not overstrain our system, because they're smaller units."

The by-right allowance of ADUs also aims to provide additional options for seniors.

"We have folks who want to age in place, or there's really no place to downsize," Councilor at Large Alisa Costa said.

"This is a great option for our communities in that respect and just to get — we still have other challenges around housing but this is one of the many pieces that we're going to need to solve the cost issues that we have in the development of housing."

Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said this allows multigeneral families to live on one property, sharing that he thinks about such options for his family even though "They're not old yet."

As of Sunday, Feb. 2, ADUs less than 900 square feet can be built by-right in single-family zoning districts statewide, and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities estimates that 8,000 to 10,000 ADUs can be constructed over the next five years thanks to this simplification of the ADU permitting process.

This is a part of the Healey-Driscoll administration's Affordable Homes Act, signed into law in August 2024. Garages, attics, and basements can be converted into ADUs or an ADU can be a newly constructed detached cottage or addition onto the primary home with a separate entrance.

"Amidst the ongoing ADU Zoning Amendment process, the State released final regulations detailing what regulations were deemed "unreasonable" or "prohibited" for municipalities to impose on Accessory Dwelling Units in their local Zoning Ordinance," the Department of Community Development wrote to the council.

"Several items in the final regulations have now made aspects of the proposed ADU Zoning Amendment to not be in compliance with state standards."

Changes to the code:  

• Amend Section 23-9 Section 9.l0l(H)(l) to read "One (1) ADU is permitted by-right subject to the dimensional requirements of this Section, in any property containing a one or two family residential use. Each additional ADU will require a Special Permit under Section 9.101 (H).
   
• Replace the word "structure" with "dwelling" in Article 23-2 Section 2.2 and in Article 23-9 Section 9.101(H)(3) regarding the size requirements for ADUS.
   
• Adopt the definition for Gross Floor Area that is included in State Regulations and add it to Subsection H of Article 23-9 Section 9.101. This definition will now be contained under Subsection H in a newly added Definitions (1) section. The requirements for ADUs will now be contained in a newly added "Requirements" section.
   
• Amend the current Dimensional Standards in Article 23-9 Section 9.l Ol(H)(2) to read "Dimensional Requirements for ADUs shall follow the most permissive dimensional requirements that apply to either the principal dwelling, a Single- Family Residential Dwelling, or Accessory Uses in general.

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