city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Last updated:

Additional Dwelling Unit Program

Learn how to move forward with the process of adding an additional dwelling unit (ADU) to your property. You can also apply for a 0% loan to build your approved design.

Toggle
Page Sections

The Additional Dwelling Unit Program allows owner occupants in the City of Boston to carve out a new space within their homes. They can create smaller, independent units, known as Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) once the design has been approved. For those who qualify, we offer loans to build approved ADU designs.

To stay up to date on the next steps of the ADU program sign up for the email list.

To learn more about the 2017-2018 ADU Pilot Program, including goals and lessons learned, visit the ADU Pilot Program page.

Eligibility

You must meet these requirements to qualify for the Additional Dwelling Unit Program.

  • Own a 1-, 2- or 3-family home within the city of Boston
  • Live in that same home
  • Plan to build your ADU in that same home
  • Plan to build your ADU within the envelope of your home
  • Plan to build your ADU above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) if your home is in the FEMA Flood Zone, and you want to build a basement or first floor unit

Designing Your ADU

The City of Boston Staff who run the ADU Workshop have put together an Informational video about the program. 

WATCH THE VIDEO

 

Image for adu pre existing carve out 2 180702

ADU image 2

There are many ways to design and build your ADU. This section includes some important design tips and strategies. Our goal is to make this design process accessible to all homeowners through some general advice and guidance.

Building Code CONSIDERATIONS

Below are some important code and other design considerations for ADUs. There must be:

  • a full unit, which includes a bathroom and kitchen
  • two means of egress, which are ways for people to exit the building
  • water and electricity shutoff valves accessible to all units
  • compliant ceiling height, especially for basement and attic units, and
  • you may be required to add sprinklers in the new ADU.

Find more Building Code considerations in the How to Apply for an ADU Permit section.

The unit cannot involve any bump out, extension, or construction to the existing envelope of the structure that results in the addition of gross floor area. Exterior work is allowed as long as the interior building square footage stays the same.

To help with your planning, view the checklist.

design ADU checklist

External ADUs

Zoning Code

External ADUs, built outside the envelope of the home, whether additions or detached structures, are not allowed as of right in most neighborhoods. For Mattapan residents, a zoning amendment allowing ADUs as of right was approved by the Boston Zoning Commission in January 2024.  For all other neighborhoods, converting a garage or building a new structure would likely require zoning relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals (which includes a community process to inform neighbors of your project). You can learn more about the zoning for a particular site on the Zoning Viewer.

Citywide ADU Zoning Initiative

The City of Boston and the BPDA are working to eliminate barriers to building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by updating zoning to make these small homes as-of-right citywide. You can learn more about the process, sign up for updates, or attend an upcoming community meeting at the Planning Department webpage here.

Fire Code

To receive a building permit, External ADUs will need to meet all building and fire code requirements. The Boston Fire Department and Inspectional Services Department generated Guidance on ADUs and Fire Safety, which explains visually and in plain language common building code and fire code requirements that impact design and construction of external ADUs. If you are considering building an external ADU this information may help you understand what type of ADU can work best on your property.

GUIDANCE ON FIRE SAFETY

How to Apply for an ADU Permit

How to Apply

Since an additional dwelling unit is classified as an independent unit, it must be inspected as such. A unit should comply with all building and sanitary codes.

Learn more about Boston’s Housing Code

Code and design considerations for ADUs include:

  • a full unit, which includes a bathroom and kitchen,
  • two ways for people to exit the building,
  • water and electricity shutoff valves accessible to all units,
  • compliant ceiling height, especially for basement and attic units, and
  • a sprinkler added in the new unit if you have a 2- or 3-family home.

We can discuss code and design considerations particular to your home at the ADU Design Workshop. To help with your planning use the ADU checklist.

ADU Design Checklist

Before you can apply for an additional dwelling unit permit, you need to develop plans for the unit you want to build. 

  • Create preliminary designs or drawings of your proposed unit
  • Prepare a description of your additional dwelling unit
  • Take pictures of the current space
  • Get a cost estimate

A professional architect or contractor can help you at any stage of the process.

tips for hiring a contractor

The ADU design workshops are currently being held digitally on the first Thursday of each month, from 4pm to 5:30pm. To receive the link to the virtual meeting, please click on the “Sign Up To Attend” button below and make sure to enter your email address.

Plans will only be reviewed if they have been submitted online through the “Sign Up To Attend” button below.  Workshop attendees are encouraged to view this 50-minute ADU information session before the workshop.

SIGN UP TO ATTEND

Before you can start construction, you will need to get a long-form permit from the Inspectional Services Department. Click the how-to guide below for more information.

PERMIT HOW-TO GUIDE

An additional dwelling unit used as a rental must be registered in accordance with Ch. 9-1.3 of the City of Boston Rental Registry Ordinance at the time of conversion.

Register your Unit

Why DID the City start this program?

Additional dwelling units will increase affordable housing options in the City. We want to create safer living arrangements and support multigenerational family arrangements. Our goal is to provide more chances for homeowners to age in place and stay in their homes. An additional dwelling may provide needed income, or a place for a supportive relative to live, or a place with more accessibility for the homeowner. These units offer an opportunity to use existing infrastructure to achieve the City’s housing goals. 

What if I sell my home?

If the new owner would like to use the additional dwelling unit as a rental unit, they will need to live on the property. They also must continue to register the unit with the rental registry.

What if there is already an unpermitted additional unit in my home?

We want to help homeowners bring existing units up to code. If you are eligible for the program, and your current unit can meet all of our criteria, you can apply to have it permitted as a rental unit.

What do I do if my property is in the FEMA Flood Zone?

You must be able to show that the lowest elevation of the building (the "Top of Bottom Floor" on your elevation certificate) is above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to be eligible for the ADU program. An Elevation Certificate will show the BFE. You may want to check your mortgage documents for this information.  If you need to obtain an Elevation Certificate for your property, Elevation Certificates are prepared and certified by:

  • a Licensed Land Surveyor
  • Registered Professional Engineer, or
  • Registered Architect who is authorized by state or local law to certify elevation information.

There is a useful FEMA website that explains:

  1. what an Elevation Certificate is, and
  2. how to get one for your property.

Once you obtain an Elevation Certificate for your property, please include it with your application. If you need additional advice, attend an ADU design workshop.

Who can I talk to if I have additional questions?

For general questions about the design of your ADU, sign up to attend an ADU design workshop. For questions about getting an ADU permit, contact the Inspectional Services Department.

What About Exterior ADUs?

Are you interested in ADU 2.0 (to create an ADU within an existing exterior structure such as carriage houses or garages)? Please feel free to attend the monthly ADU workshops if you have any questions.

While there is no zoning relief at this time, our team remains interested in identifying the next phase of the program. To stay up to date on the future of the ADU program, sign up for the email list. 

How to Apply for An ADU Loan

The Boston Home Center (BHC) Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Loan Program offers gap funding to eligible Boston homeowners of 1-3 unit properties who wish to build an ADU—a new residential living unit providing complete independent living facilities.

  • The loan can fund interior improvements, additions, or detached structures to create an ADU. 
  • The loans are interest-free and offer gap funding up to $50,000. The loan amount is determined by the estimated cost of the project.
  • The loan has no monthly payments and does not become due until the owner sells, transfers ownership, or undertakes a cash-out refinance of the home.

For more program information, including eligibility, we created a fact sheet.

View the Fact Sheet

Also available in English, Español, Português, 简体中文, Français, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, русский, 繁體中文, Tiếng Việt, or عربى.

Steps to Apply for the ADU Loan:
  1. Check to see if you are eligible for the ADU loan program. See program eligibility in the fact sheet. Contact the Boston Home Center if you have questions - HOMECENTER@BOSTON.GOV 617-635-3880
  2. Create preliminary designs of your ADU. Attend an ADU workshop if you need help designing the best ADU for your property.
  3. Get a cost estimate from several contractors. View tips for hiring a contractor.
  4. Gather the required documents. View the list of required documents. Also available in list all languages and link.
  5. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FOR THE ADU LOAN PROGRAM and submit required documentation. Also available in Spanish (Español), Portuguese (Português), Chinese (中文), French (Français), Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu Kabuverdianu), Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen), Somali (Soomaali), Russian (русский), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), and Arabic (عربى).

NOTE: You will need to get a building permit before you can close on your ADU loan. A licensed contractor usually obtains a building permit from the City’s Inspectional Services Department.  

Provide Your Feedback
Back to top