Massachusetts ADU Town Rankings

Every town scored on permits, approval rates, and bylaw consistency

221 towns scored26 with bylaw analysis210 rated A or B
1
LowellMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
2
MedfordMiddlesex
A
86%
No data
3
FairhavenBristol
A
100%
No data
4
MiddleboroughPlymouth
A
100%
No data
5
RaynhamBristol
A
100%
No data
6
HarwichBarnstable
A
100%
No data
7
TisburyDukes
A
93%
No data
8
WestportBristol
A
100%
No data
9
BeverlyEssex
A
100%
No data
10
DracutMiddlesex
A
83%
No data
11
BraintreeNorfolk
A
91%
No data
12
MelroseMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
13
SomersetBristol
A
82%
No data
14
HanoverPlymouth
A
80%
No data
15
Oak BluffsDukes
A
80%
No data
16
PepperellMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
17
FoxboroughNorfolk
A
100%
No data
18
HamiltonEssex
A
100%
No data
19
LynnfieldEssex
A
100%
No data
20
ScituatePlymouth
A
100%
No data
21
MillburyWorcester
A
88%
No data
22
SwanseaBristol
A
100%
No data
23
YarmouthBarnstable
A
200%
No data
24
SalemEssex
A
100%
Under review
25
LawrenceEssex
A
73%
No data
26
MethuenEssex
A
75%
No data
27
NorthamptonHampshire
A
75%
No data
28
BillericaMiddlesex
A
72%
No data
29
FreetownBristol
A
76%
No data
30
AttleboroBristol
A
67%
No data
31
NewburyportEssex
A
89%
Under review
32
AndoverEssex
A
90%
Under review
33
ArlingtonMiddlesex
A
86%
No data
34
ChelmsfordMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
35
DennisBarnstable
A
86%
No data
36
GrovelandEssex
A
100%
No data
37
LittletonMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
38
MansfieldBristol
A
100%
No data
39
WestwoodNorfolk
A
86%
No data
40
BelchertownHampshire
A
100%
No data
41
ChilmarkDukes
A
100%
No data
42
GreenfieldFranklin
A
100%
No data
43
KingstonPlymouth
A
83%
No data
44
LexingtonMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
45
NorthboroughWorcester
A
83%
No data
46
OrleansBarnstable
A
100%
No data
47
RochesterPlymouth
A
100%
No data
48
SaugusEssex
A
100%
No data
49
WakefieldMiddlesex
A
100%
No data
50
West NewburyEssex
A
100%
No data
Showing 150 of 221

Understanding the Quadrants

For the 26 towns with bylaw analysis, we classify each by whether their bylaws are consistent with state law and whether permits are actually getting approved.

Green Light
Consistent bylaws, high approval rate
3 towns
Paper Tiger
Inconsistent bylaws, high approval rate
13 towns
Pipeline Problem
Consistent bylaws, low approval rate
4 towns
Walled Off
Inconsistent bylaws, low approval rate
6 towns