Massachusetts ADU Town Rankings
Every town scored on permits, approval rates, and bylaw consistency
221 towns scored26 with bylaw analysis210 rated A or B
#
Town
County
Grade
Approved
Appr. Rate
Bylaws
1
LowellMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
26
100%
No data
2
MedfordMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
19
86%
No data
3
FairhavenBristol
Bristol
A
18
100%
No data
4
MiddleboroughPlymouth
Plymouth
A
18
100%
No data
5
RaynhamBristol
Bristol
A
18
100%
No data
6
HarwichBarnstable
Barnstable
A
15
100%
No data
7
TisburyDukes
Dukes
A
14
93%
No data
8
WestportBristol
Bristol
A
14
100%
No data
9
BeverlyEssex
Essex
A
12
100%
No data
10
DracutMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
10
83%
No data
11
BraintreeNorfolk
Norfolk
A
10
91%
No data
12
MelroseMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
11
100%
No data
13
SomersetBristol
Bristol
A
9
82%
No data
14
HanoverPlymouth
Plymouth
A
8
80%
No data
15
Oak BluffsDukes
Dukes
A
8
80%
No data
16
PepperellMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
10
100%
No data
17
FoxboroughNorfolk
Norfolk
A
9
100%
No data
18
HamiltonEssex
Essex
A
9
100%
No data
19
LynnfieldEssex
Essex
A
9
100%
No data
20
ScituatePlymouth
Plymouth
A
9
100%
No data
21
MillburyWorcester
Worcester
A
7
88%
No data
22
SwanseaBristol
Bristol
A
8
100%
No data
23
YarmouthBarnstable
Barnstable
A
16
200%
No data
24
SalemEssex
Essex
A
9
100%
Under review
25
LawrenceEssex
Essex
A
32
73%
No data
26
MethuenEssex
Essex
A
21
75%
No data
27
NorthamptonHampshire
Hampshire
A
15
75%
No data
28
BillericaMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
13
72%
No data
29
FreetownBristol
Bristol
A
13
76%
No data
30
AttleboroBristol
Bristol
A
10
67%
No data
31
NewburyportEssex
Essex
A
8
89%
Under review
32
AndoverEssex
Essex
A
9
90%
Under review
33
ArlingtonMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
6
86%
No data
34
ChelmsfordMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
7
100%
No data
35
DennisBarnstable
Barnstable
A
6
86%
No data
36
GrovelandEssex
Essex
A
7
100%
No data
37
LittletonMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
7
100%
No data
38
MansfieldBristol
Bristol
A
7
100%
No data
39
WestwoodNorfolk
Norfolk
A
6
86%
No data
40
BelchertownHampshire
Hampshire
A
6
100%
No data
41
ChilmarkDukes
Dukes
A
6
100%
No data
42
GreenfieldFranklin
Franklin
A
6
100%
No data
43
KingstonPlymouth
Plymouth
A
5
83%
No data
44
LexingtonMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
6
100%
No data
45
NorthboroughWorcester
Worcester
A
5
83%
No data
46
OrleansBarnstable
Barnstable
A
6
100%
No data
47
RochesterPlymouth
Plymouth
A
6
100%
No data
48
SaugusEssex
Essex
A
6
100%
No data
49
WakefieldMiddlesex
Middlesex
A
6
100%
No data
50
West NewburyEssex
Essex
A
6
100%
No data
Showing 1–50 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