What is MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw (or M.G.L. Section 3A)?
In 2021, Governor Baker signed the multifamily zoning requirement for 177 communities served by—or adjacent to communities served by—the MBTA into law. This new law requires that an MBTA community shall have at least one zoning district in which multifamily housing is permitted as of right.
The law was created because eastern Massachusetts has a housing shortage. Because individual communities control local zoning, municipalities play a key role in determining whether or not housing is built. To address the housing shortage, the law requires communities to amend their zoning to encourage housing production
Check out the Dracut MBTA Communities Handout (PDF) given out at Town Meeting and available at Town Hall.
Town of Dracut MBTA Communities Zoning