Worcester Councilor Seeks Zoning Change For 'In-Law' Units

WORCESTER, MA — In-laws are currently illegal in Worcester — but a city councilor wants to change that.

District 3 Councilor George Russell at Tuesday's city council meeting will ask the city manager to create a new zoning ordinance to allow homeowners to easily create new "accessory dwelling units" — also known as in-law apartments.

Under Russell's proposal, homeowners could seek a special permit to build the units in any zone in Worcester, and be excused from parking requirements and other zoning rules.

"This change to the zoning ordinance will provide another option for housing in the city, but will also provide current homeowners the ability to offset increasing living expenses by renting their extra space," Russell said. "I’ve heard from many residents from across the City that they would like the option to create ‘in-law’ apartments, of which the current zoning ordinance does not allow."

Cities across the U.S. — including many in Massachusetts — have changed zoning laws in recent years to legalize in-law apartments due to housing shortages and price increases.

Russell's request would change city zoning law so that homes with in-law units are not considered two-family homes. Multifamily properties are not allowed in single-family zones, and about 1/4 of Worcester's 206,000 residents live in the RS-7 single-family zone, including huge parts of the western, northern and southernmost parts of the city.

"This adjustment can significantly benefit homeowners with finished basements or property additions fit for a studio apartment," Russell said. "Additionally, this change can mitigate our city's desperate need for small affordable dwelling units.

The Worcester City Council's first meeting of 2023 gets underway 6 p.m. Tuesday, with a ton on the agenda, including dedicated bus lanes, an improvement to the city's homeless shelter system and a look at a new law aimed at reducing traffic fatalities.