Newton
Middlesex County · Pop. 88,923
Newton has approved 18 of 40 ADU applications (45% approval rate) and has 7 of 10 bylaw provisions consistent with state law.
Based on 18 approved ADU applications and 88,923 residents
Permits
40 applications since the ADU law took effect in Feb 2025
| Address | Type | Status | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman Street,25 | Internal | Permit Issued | $400,000 |
| Mt Alvernia Road,51 | Detached | Permit Issued | $722,355 |
| Gate House Road, 61 | Detached | Permit Issued | $359,000 |
| Lexington Street,82 | Internal | Permit Issued | $167,000 |
| Auburndale Ave, 50-52 | Internal | Permit Issued | $85,000 |
Bylaw Consistency
Newton’s two-tier system creates confusion but most ADUs can proceed by right. The site plan review path adds cost and time for larger units but isn’t technically a barrier. Builders should confirm which tier applies before quoting projects.
Provision-by-provision analysis available
We've mapped 10 provisions in Newton against Chapter 150. See which specific bylaw sections appear inconsistent with state law.
See full compliance analysisCost Snapshot
Based on 12 permitted ADU projects in Newton
Try the full cost estimatorADU Impact on Housing Production
In 2024, Newton issued 407 total residential building permits. In the first year of the ADU law, 18 ADU permits were approved — equivalent to 4.4% of prior-year housing production.
Source: Census Bureau (2024) via UMass Donahue Institute; EOHLC ADU Survey (2025)
How Newton Compares
Next Steps
Sources: EOHLC ADU Survey 2025. Individual permit records from municipal building department. Population estimates from 2024 Census ACS.
Disclaimer: ADU Pulse provides data for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or construction advice.Bylaw consistency analysis reflects our interpretation of public records and may not reflect the most current local amendments.
See methodology for details on data collection, scoring, and consistency analysis.