Marblehead To Present Draft For Accessory Dwelling Units

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A draft plan for the proposed bylaw to allow accessory-dwelling units — or so-called "in-law apartments" — in Marblehead will be presented as part of a Planning Board public meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom with a presentation and overview of the draft plan to solicit public feedback. The meeting is scheduled to run from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Accessory-dwelling units allow a homeowner to subdivide a small section of their household into a rental property.

Proponents of ADUs say they contribute to affordable housing at a time of need, provide a rental opportunity for those who are younger and need limited space, and provide aging homeowners with the chance to gain income from their property and possibly remain in a home when that may not otherwise be feasible.

Those opposed to ADUs generally cite increased traffic congestion and the altering of neighborhoods by introducing excess rental properties in residential areas that often include mostly single-family homes.

The Planning Board's stated draft mission is to "encourage the efficient use of the town's housing supply while preserving the character of the town's neighborhoods."

The draft proposal includes the limit of one ADU per principal household where the owner resides. The ADU may not be sold or transferred separately from the principal household, short-term rentals of the ADU are prohibited, and there is the requirement that the ADU is maintained in appearance to sustain the character of the principal household and greater neighborhood.

ADUs require a separate, secure entrance from the primary household, rear or side entrance and be no less than 350 square feet and no more than 900 square feet, or two bedrooms.

There must also be one designated parking spot per ADU.

The full draft of the Planning Board can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)