New Bedford ADU Bylaw Analysis
UPDATEDProvision-by-provision analysis of New Bedford's ADU bylaw against Massachusetts Chapter 150 and 760 CMR 71.00.
New Bedford Bylaw Consistency
New Bedford Zoning Ordinance Ch. 9, §§2340 & 1200 · Last updated September 2024
Last reviewed: February 15, 2026
What This Means
New Bedford has no provisions that appear inconsistent with Chapter 150. Three provisions remain under review — short-term rental restrictions, design guidelines for detached ADUs, and a special permit requirement for larger ADUs. The remaining 7 provisions are consistent with state law.
Permit Activity
2 of 6 approved (33%)Share of 2025 applications approved in 2025
Data Provenance
Reviewed: February 15, 2026
AG action: None
Bylaw source: Zoning Ordinance · retrieved February 19, 2026
Version date not published; analysis based on publicly available text retrieved February 19, 2026
Use & Occupancy
Dimensional & Parking
Building & Safety
Process & Administration
Bottom Line
3 additional provisions are in a legal grey area that may face future challenges.
Methodology
This analysis compares each town's published ADU zoning bylaw or ordinance against Massachusetts Chapter 150 (2024), MGL c.40A §3, and 760 CMR 71.00. Per EOHLC guidance, towns are not “inconsistent” simply because their local zoning has not been updated — however, any local provisions inconsistent with the ADU statute are preempted by state law as of February 2, 2025. Local permitting decisions should not take into account zoning rules that conflict with state law. Attorney General disapproval data sourced from published AG Municipal Law Unit decisions. This is not legal advice — consult a zoning attorney for project-specific guidance.
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