Skip to main content

Marblehead ADU Ordinance

Posted on
March 24th at 2:48pm.

Marblehead residents will vote at their May 1st Town Meeting on an ordinance which will allow ADUs to be built by right based on the following conditions/requirements:

  • No more than 1 ADU per principal dwelling units
  • ADUs are allowed as an accessory to single family dwellings
  • ADUs are allowed within or attached to a single-family structure or in a detached structure that has a permanent foundation and is accessory to the existing single-family structure
  • Owner occupancy requirement
  • ADUs may not be sold or transferred separate from the principal dwelling
  • Short-term rentals are prohibited in both the accessory and principal dwelling units
  • 1000 square feet maximum size or 50% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling (whichever is less)
  • Two bedrooms maximum

A special permit is needed if an ADU is proposed:

  • Within an existing single-family structure or detached accessory building that is not incompliance with all of the dimensional regulations of Table 2 of the zoning bylaw and does not have one additional 9 x 18 parking space
  • An addition to an existing single-family structure or detached accessory building that is not in compliance with all of the dimensional regulations of Table 2 of the zoning bylaw and does not have one additional 9 x 18 parking space then a special permit shall be required
  • An ADU within an existing single-family structure or accessory building that does not meet the dimensional regulations of table 2 or does not have a parking space dedicated to the ADU’s use

The Planning Board shall act as the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) for accessory dwelling units. Submission requirements for the permit application include:

  • Certified plot plan of the proposed accessory dwelling unit
  • Description of the units (both principal and accessory) including number of bedrooms, size and layout
  • Notarized letter stating the owner will occupy one of the dwelling units on the premises as the owner’s primary residence

The meeting will be held at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School Auditorium, Duncan Sleigh Square, 217 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA at 7:00 PM on May 1st. Updates will be posted on the NSR blog.