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NSR Supports Proposed Marblehead ADU Ordinance

Posted on
April 27th at 12:17pm.

The North Shore REALTORS® Government Affairs Committee voted to support the proposed Marblehead ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) ordinance which will be voted on at the Monday, May 1st 7:00 PM Town Meeting held at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School Auditorium.

The Association respectfully asks our Marblehead members to consider voting to approve the ADU ordinance. Please see additional details below:

The proposed ordinance will allow ADUs to be built by special permit approval 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

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

Allowing ADUs to be built in Marblehead is a commonsense measure to help address the need for housing opportunities in town. Not only are ADUs smaller and therefore more affordable to build, they also do not require additional land, and can often be converted from an existing interior or exterior space. These factors make ADUs both environmentally friendly and naturally more affordable.