Accessory dwelling units approved under Wilbraham’s bylaw

The Wilbraham Planning Board in Massachusetts has approved the first two accessory dwelling units under a new local bylaw adopted in May, marking another milestone in nationwide ADU expansion that continues to influence housing policy in California and other states.

The approvals came after Massachusetts passed the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, which made ADUs an as-of-right land use statewide while allowing municipalities to craft local bylaws with additional restrictions.

One of the approved units features an 897-square-foot freestanding structure at 27 Stonegate Circle, complete with shared utilities and a 480-square-foot attached garage designed with accessibility features.

The approval process included addressing neighbor concerns about drainage and property setbacks, demonstrating the careful balance communities must strike when implementing ADU regulations.

For California property developers and homeowners, Massachusetts' approach offers insights into how states can mandate ADU allowances while preserving local oversight through bylaw development.

California pioneered much of the current ADU movement through legislation like SB 9, which allows property owners to split single-family lots and build additional units, and various ADU laws that have streamlined approval processes statewide.

As other states follow California's lead in addressing housing shortages through accessory dwelling units, the Massachusetts model shows how different regulatory approaches can achieve similar goals of increasing housing density and affordability while maintaining community input in the development process.