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Committee backs zoning update to allow attached and detached ADUs consistent with state law
Summary
The Advisory Finance Committee recommended Town Meeting approve Article 23 to update Westborough’s zoning bylaw to reflect the state ADU law, allow detached ADUs, cap size (1,000 sq ft or half gross floor area), prohibit short‑term rentals and move most review to the building‑permit process.
The Westborough Advisory Finance Committee recommended that Town Meeting approve a zoning change (Article 23) to bring the town’s accessory‑dwelling‑unit rules into compliance with recent state law. Jenny Gingress, Director of Planning, explained the state update (effective Feb. 2) requires municipalities to allow attached and detached ADUs and removes special‑permit barriers for standard ADUs in single‑family zones.
Gingress said the proposed bylaw allows ADUs up to 1,000 square feet or half the gross floor area, whichever is smaller, and prohibits use as short‑term rentals (defined in the bylaw as stays under 30 days). She noted the town may still permit larger ADUs through a ZBA special permit in cases that require ADA accommodations.
Committee members asked about tax and school impacts; Gingress said a building permit would normally trigger a property appraisal and likely increase property tax because the ADU is an improvement, and that there was no expectation of a large influx of school‑aged children because ADUs are already permitted by right when attached and have not driven major enrollment changes.
The committee’s recommendation advances Article 23 to Town Meeting, where voters will see the updated bylaw language and any implementation details (building permit procedures and enforcement) before adoption.
