MBTA Communities
Multi-Family Zoning Law
Section 3A of MA General Law, Chapter 40A
The MBTA Communities Law is a state law that requires MBTA serviced communities, like Gloucester, to zone areas for multi-family housing. You've probably heard a lot about the law and its requirements, you may be surprised to learn that not all of it may be correct. We've compiled the following resources to promote better understanding.
Housing4All Gloucester Resources:
Below are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions we see
regarding the MBTA Communities Zoning Law.
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S3A Benefits for Gloucester Flyer
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Considering A Well-Designed TOD in Compliance with MA Section 3A, by H4AG, published in the GDT, Feb 7, 2023
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Housing Affordably, A Gloucester Priority, H4AG's complication of housing data, 2022-23
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The Myth of Home Rule by Jack Clarke, published in the GDT, Feb. 28, 2024
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By Right Zoning - What Is It? by Jack Clarke and Paul Lundberg, published in GDT Mar 7, 2024
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Some MBTA Zoning Facts by Shawn Henry, published in GDT
Sign H4AG's Section 3A Support Petition
Show your support for compliance and meaningful zoning planning by signing Housing4All Gloucester’s petition in support of Section 3A compliance and to encourage our Planning Board and City Council to develop meaningful multi-family zoning that can help people afford to stay in Gloucester, strengthen our downtown area, and increase our diversity, vibrancy and city character.
Municipal Resources for Gloucester Residents:
The City's webpage, State 40A 3A/ MBTA Communities Information , is place for residents of Gloucester to find up to date on local announcements, planning process and timeline, public meetings, and other important information as it relates to the MBTA Communities Law. Residents can also mail questions, concerns, ideas directly to the City at MBTAFeedback@gloucester-ma.gov
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Mayor's memorandum RE Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities, September 13, 2022
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Gloucester's Action Plan for MBTA Communities submitted to the state's Department of Housing and Community Development, January 24, 2023.
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40A 3A/MBTA Communities Meeting Recording, a Planning Board and Planning and Development Standing Committee joint meeting presentation outlining the law, guidelines, and the City's process for compliance, February 20, 2024
State Resources for MBTA Communities:
The State’s, Executive Office of Housing and Livable
Communities (EOHLC), webpage for Compliance Guidelines
on new Section 3A of MGL c. 40A:
Multi-family Zoning Requirement
Additional Resources:
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Introductory Video: Why MBTA multifamily zoning law makes sense for Massachusetts
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Mass Housing Partnership (MHP) - MBTA Zoning & Complete Neighborhoods
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Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) - MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A)
For an even deeper dive in MA housing issues:
The Waning Influence of Housing Production on Public School Enrollment A study by the Massachusetts Metropolitan Area Planning Council showing that the conventional wisdom that new housing production increases school enrollment is no longer true.
MA Land Use Regulation Causes Segregation A 2013 thesis finding that restrictive zoning leads to fewer Black and Latino households in a town.
State of Zoning for Multi Family Housing Regulations that encourage or prevent multifamily housing in the 100 cities and towns around Boston.
Zoned Out: Why Massachusetts Needs to Legalize Apartments Near Transit An interactive report by Boston Indicators arguing that legalizing apartments near public transit increases social-economic diversity, reduces car dependence, and lowers prices.
Legalizing Housing Near Transit in MA A 2020 Brookings report explaining why our housing affordability crisis requires statewide reforms focused on creating homes around public transportation centers.
The Boston Foundation: Greater Boston Housing Report Card The 2022 Report Card on the state of housing challenges in Greater Boston, with suggestions for efforts we can take–from legislation and public policy to education and technical support.
Massachusetts Housing: A Three Prong Crisis, A Short paper by UMass’s Mass Benchworks about interrelated housing crises in Massachusetts.
10 Great Neighborhoods that are Illegal with Current Zoning. 10 towns in Massachusetts whose historic neighborhoods would be illegal under their current zoning rules.
The Data-Backed Case for Increasing Housing: Short paper by Housing Forward arguing that Massachusetts needs more housing at all income levels.
Research from Other States:
Why More Housing Supply Reduces Housing Prices A definitive NYU report linking the production of additional housing to greater affordability.
Who Participates in Local Government A study by Katie Einstein and Max Palmer on how participatory inequalities in public meetings contribute to rising housing prices.
Overcoming Restrictive Zoning An analysis of five states’ innovative approaches to zoning and affordable housing development.
Evaluating Housing Affordability Policies in Your Area A Mercatus Center report that helps communities identify areas for reform at the local level.
Exclusionary Zoning: It’s Effect on Racial Discrimination in the Housing Market A White House blog post on housing and discrimination.
Dismantling Segregationist Land Use Controls A short law review article by professor Sarah Adams-Schoen, with some treatment of other states’ zoning reforms.
Overcoming Opposition to Multi-Family Housing A report by Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies debunking false claims by housing opponents about traffic, property values, schools, and more.