Springfield officials prepare to implement state ADU law; planning board approves draft regulations

Springfield officials and neighborhood representatives met in a joint subcommittee session to review the state’s new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law and a proposed local zoning amendment to implement it. Phil Dromey, planning department staff, told the meeting that the state’s Affordable Homes Act and the amended state zoning provisions make ADUs a protected use and that the statutory provision taking effect on Feb. 2 will limit what municipalities can require.

The meeting mattered because the law removes several common local controls and could materially change how single‑family lots are used across Springfield. "ADUs are really become a protected use," Dromey said, adding that municipalities may still apply "reasonable regulations" such as an administrative site‑plan review but cannot require discretionary approvals or owner occupancy. Councilor Whitfield emphasized the limit on local authority: "These are state laws. So when it comes to the city council vote, we have to follow the state laws," she said.

Dromey outlined the law’s main elements cited in his presentation: an ADU must be a self‑contained unit with sleeping, cooking and sanitary facilities and a separate entrance; its size may not exceed half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller; the unit must remain on the same parcel in common ownership with the principal dwelling; municipalities cannot require owner occupancy; and short‑term rentals (for example, Airbnb) may be restricted locally. He said the draft local regulations the Planning Board approved Jan. 8 would apply an administrative site‑plan review to verify compliance with dimensional and setback rules and building codes rather than a discretionary permitting process. Dromey also explained that a second ADU on a parcel would trigger a special permit.

Speakers and neighborhood leaders at the meeting raised concerns about neighborhood character, parking and absentee landlords. Beata Bolin, president of the Forest Park Civic Association, warned: "We're now permitted to to put in the second dwelling, which makes it multifamily by definition. I'm I I just wanna clarify that we're doing away with residential by implementing this law." Several councilors asked how the city’s building and assessor offices will record and inspect ADUs and whether the city is prepared for a possible surge in applications; Dromey said applicants will still need building permits and inspections and that a certificate of occupancy will require all inspections to pass.

Dromey said the draft local zoning amendment limits ADUs to single‑family Residence A and Residence A‑1 districts, caps parking requirements at one additional space (with exemptions when within a half‑mile of a rail or ferry station), and generally requires ADU site plans to be drawn by a qualified professional showing footprint, square footage and egress points. He noted an administrative site‑plan form has been adapted so applicants who initially go to Building will be referred to Planning for the review.

No formal council vote on the local amendment was recorded at the subcommittee meeting. The planning staff’s regulatory draft is scheduled for a City Council hearing on Jan. 27. Planning staff and councilors urged outreach to neighborhood councils and said additional department attendance (housing director and building/code enforcement) will be requested for the council hearing.

The discussion closed with multiple councilors urging swift local action so an administrative review is on the books before Feb. 2, the date staff noted the statutory provision becomes effective. The Planning Board has approved the draft regulations (Jan. 8); the zoning amendment will be before the City Council Jan. 27 for the council’s consideration.