H 4757
An Act promoting housing opportunities and access
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Bill overview
This bill aims to increase housing opportunities and access in Massachusetts by establishing clearer definitions of land types and zoning regulations. It focuses on identifying ‘calculable developable land’ for multi-family housing construction, particularly in cities and towns with low multi-family housing density. The bill also introduces provisions to streamline the approval process for open space residential developments and creates a commission to study area median income limits for affordable housing.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘Excluded Land,’ ‘Calculable developable land,’ and ‘Developable land area’ to guide housing development.
- Requires cities and towns with less than 10% multi-family housing to establish multifamily zoning districts.
- Sets a minimum density requirement (20 dwelling units per acre) for multifamily development in these districts.
- Permits open space residential development by right in residential zoning districts, subject to planning board approval.
- Modifies the process for zoning board approvals, requiring a majority vote instead of supermajority votes.
- Creates a commission to study reforms to area median income limits for affordable housing.
- Sets a deadline for cities and towns to determine their calculable developable land (December 1, 2026).
- Adjusts regulations regarding subdivision control for open space residential developments.
Who is affected
- Homeowners
- Developers
- Cities and Towns
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses
Cosponsors
Jr. Angelo J. Puppolo
Lindsay N. Sabadosa
Marjorie C. Decker
Russell E. Holmes
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Bill H.4757 194th (Current)
An Act promoting housing opportunities and access
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 3 actions for Bill H.4757
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 11/19/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Community Development and Small Businesses |
| 11/19/2025 | House | New draft of H305 |
| 11/19/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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