Frequently Asked Questions

ADUs are small houses or apartments that exist on the same property as a single-family residence and are sometimes referred to as “in-law apartments.” With the new law, these can be attached to the single-family home, detached, interior, and/or an above garage unit/garage conversion. Different examples are shown below. 

No, Methuen has had a bylaw allowing Accessory Apartments for decades. The bylaw had requirements that needed to be met, such as owner occupancy main dwelling, a max square footage of 700sf, family member occupancy (no rental units), attached to the principal dwelling, a deed restriction recorded, and a required annual inspection to maintain it. 

o    On August 6, 2024, Governor Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act into law (Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024). Section 8 of the Affordable Homes Act amends the Zoning Act to define ADUs and provide specific requirements for ADUs that apply state-wide. The City’s existing Accessory Apartment bylaw needed to be updated to comply with the new law that has already taken effect (February 2025). You can read through the ADU regulations on Mass.gov with this link:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/accessory-dwelling-units

The City’s bylaw no longer includes an owner occupancy/family member requirement, deed restriction, or annual inspection.  The City can no longer require the ADU to be attached to the principal dwelling.  Additional Parking is no longer required if the ADU is within ½ mile of public transit. The ADU legislation sets the size of ADUs as up to 900sf or ½ the size of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller.

Your septic system is designed for a certain number of bedrooms. You may need to upgrade your septic system or construct a separate system for an ADU. Refer to  https://www.mass.gov/doc/guidance-on-title-5-310-cmr-15000-compliance-for-accessory-dwelling-units/download for details on Title V regulations.

Yes. All setbacks and dimensional requirements will still apply. ADUs need to be constructed in compliance with the State Building Code as administered by the Inspector of Buildings of the City of Methuen.

The gross floor area of the ADU cannot exceed 900 sf OR ½ of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller. 

ADUs will be allowed by-right in all single-family residential zoning districts.

You can check the required building setback in the Zoning Bylaw for the zoning district that your property is located within. If you do not have a recent plot plan of your property, you should contact a Professional Land Surveyor (P.L.S.) to survey your property.

No. Short-term rentals are prohibited in Methuen.

Yes. ADUs are not exempt from review of the Conservation Commission. ADUs proposed within 100 feet of wetlands will need to file an application with the Commission.

Once you have confirmed your septic system capacity or sewer connection, have a plot plan showing the proposed ADU, and have construction drawings, you can apply for a building permit through the Building Department, Accessory Dwelling Unit Permit (ADU).

• The State website, mass.gov – Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
• The AARP website