Massachusetts Voters to Consider Mandating Smaller Home Lots

Why it matters locally: While no direct ballot measure is currently on the books for North Carolina, the discussion around housing affordability and zoning reforms, such as those permitting smaller home lots, is a relevant topic for state and local policymakers grappling with similar housing supply issues.

Massachusetts voters will consider a ballot measure that mandates cities and towns to permit the construction of smaller homes on smaller land parcels. The proposal addresses concerns about housing availability within the state. Several states have introduced similar measures to alleviate housing shortages. In North Braintree, for example, larger lot size requirements, established decades ago, have resulted in fewer homes and a prevalence of larger, more expensive properties. Jennifer Ludden provided the image accompanying this report.