Accessory dwelling units approved under Wilbraham’s bylaw - The Reminder

The Wilbraham Planning Board in Massachusetts approved its first two accessory dwelling units under a new local bylaw in September, marking another example of how communities nationwide are adapting to state-mandated ADU policies.

The approvals came after Massachusetts passed the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, which made accessory dwelling units an as-of-right land use statewide, similar to California's pioneering ADU legislation.

One approved project involves an 897-square-foot freestanding ADU at 27 Stonegate Circle, complete with a 480-square-foot attached garage designed for accessibility.

The unit will share utilities with the main residence and includes improved septic systems to accommodate the additional dwelling.

While Massachusetts allowed municipalities to create local bylaws governing ADUs, these regulations cannot contradict state requirements that permit the secondary units by right.

This development reflects a broader national trend following California's lead in ADU reform.

California homeowners have benefited from similar state-level ADU mandates since 2017, which have streamlined approval processes and reduced local barriers to building secondary units.

For California property developers and homeowners, Massachusetts' adoption of comparable policies demonstrates the growing acceptance of ADUs as a housing solution, potentially creating more standardized approaches to secondary unit development across states and reducing regulatory uncertainty for developers working in multiple markets.