Massachusetts ADU Laws: Complete Guide for Homeowners

In Arlington, Massachusetts, one ADU has been allowed by right statewide in single-family zoning districts since February 2, 2025. For most Greater Boston projects, the unit is capped at the smaller of 900 square feet or half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, so the new law opens the door without removing the […]

What Is ADU in Construction

In Arlington, MA, a lot of homeowners ask the same question when a parent is moving in or an adult child is boomeranging home. An ADU is a smaller, independent dwelling on the same lot as the main house, and in California it's moved from a side project to a serious housing supply category, with […]

How Much Does It Cost to Build an ADU in 2026?

In Cambridge and across Greater Boston, a new detached ADU typically costs about $250,000 to $400,000+, while an internal conversion like a basement, attic, or garage usually lands closer to $100,000 to $250,000. If you're asking how much does it cost to build an ADU, the short answer is that the type of unit drives […]

Prefab ADU Cost: Your Massachusetts 2026 Estimate

A homeowner in Somerville can find a prefab ADU advertised at $120,000 to $180,000 for a 600-square-foot unit, but once site work, foundation, utilities, permits, and installation are added, the actual total often lands at $200,000 to $300,000. In Massachusetts, that advertised unit price is often only part of the story, and in the Greater […]