ADUs in Marblehead
An accessory dwelling unit or ADU is a small residential living space located on the same lot as another home. ADUs can be inside an existing home, like converting a basement into an apartment, attached to a primary residence as an addition, or completely detached, like a cottage or converted garage in a backyard.
In 2024, Massachusetts passed a law to allow ADUs up to 900 square feet in size to be build by right in single-family zoned districts. Section 200-42 of Marblehead's zoning bylaws addresses ADU's and is specifically intended to "Increase the number of small dwelling rental units available in the Town".
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s ADU Incentive Program helps property owners get started by providing a directory of professional feasibility study providers who have agreed to charge property owners no more than $500 for performing feasibility studies. A feasibility study can help you determine what might be possible on your property with respect to an ADU.
Learn more about the ADU Incentive Program and find a feasibility study provider.
What might fit on your property?
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has a useful tool for giving you an indication of what kind of ADU might fit on your property.
Enter your address, select a potential ADU floor plan, and the tool will show you were you may be able to place an ADU subject to Marblehead's ADU limitations, including setbacks. Note that the tool has limitations such as not incorporating existing features such as driveways, or reflecting topography.
Contact us
To get in touch with the Marblehead Housing Coalition to get help navigating the ADU process, please fill out the form below