BURLINGTON WEATHER

How Burlington Works

Welcome to Market & Moments, where real estate broker Susan Kadilak shares market updates and lessons learned from more than two decades in the business.

Not long ago, adding an accessory dwelling unit, often called an ADU or in-law apartment, was a complicated proposition for homeowners in Burlington. The unit often had to be attached to the main home, the property had to be owner occupied, and there were other limitations to navigate.

The new Massachusetts ADU law has changed that.

ADU attached to a main dwelling

The updated law streamlined the patchwork of local ADU rules that previously varied from town to town, creating “by right” guidelines that apply across the entire state. It eliminates owner occupancy requirements and minimum lot sizes, and it specifically protects the right to convert existing accessory structures into an ADU, even if they are non-conforming.

One of the most meaningful changes from Burlington’s old bylaw is the ability to create detached ADUs. Separation provides more privacy and makes these spaces feel like true, independent homes.

We’re already seeing the impact locally. Recently, one of our clients purchased a home with a detached garage that included an old, illegal apartment dating back to the 1980s. Under Burlington’s former accessory dwelling rules, there was very little that could be done with it by right. But under the new state law, that same apartment can now be permitted as an ADU as long as it meets certain requirements. 

Detached garage with illegal apartment above that will be converted to a legal dwelling unit under the new law.

What was once a liability is now an opportunity. A space like this can be used to genrate rental income to help make homeownership more affordable in competitive markets like Burlington. Longtime residents who want to stay in their homes can use ADUs to generate income and offset rising costs, and families looking ahead are finding that ADUs make multi-generational living more realistic without sacrificing independence.

Compared to Burlington’s old accessory dwelling rules, the new law eases restrictions on existing properties and allows homes to adapt as needs change. In a town where housing options are limited, that kind of flexibility matters. It’s a new way to think about affordability, privacy, and how homes can better support our community and the people who live in them.

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