DC Structures

Why ADUs Are Booming in Massachusetts

We get it: Massachusetts homeowners are feeling the pressure of high home prices and limited housing options, especially in and around Greater Boston, where space is tight and demand stays strong. That’s exactly why Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are gaining momentum across the state: they add practical living space without requiring a new lot, and they can support rental income, aging-in-place, or multi-generational living in a compact backyard or auxiliary house.

Built for longevity and designed with intention, our accessory dwelling units offer a modern way to expand your property’s potential while keeping your footprint efficient. Our prefabricated ADU kits are a faster, more organized route to high-quality construction. 

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Engineered to handle New England’s four-season weather and tailored to local code requirements, you can build with confidence anywhere in Massachusetts, with clear project details and expert services that help you compare models, and finalize the best layout options for your property’s practicality and long-term efficiency. With more than two decades of experience, DC Structures delivers durable, customizable designs that look at home in the Bay State and are built to last.

Our ADU Kits

Our prefab ADU kits provide a faster, more efficient way to build a backyard house: Each kit is designed to be custom-tailored to the local climates, zoning requirements, and lifestyle needs in Massachusetts, and through our customizable models you can tailor everything from layout to bedrooms to finishes, with full plan details, flexible options, and dedicated services for every model.

Sitka
Sitka

SitkaCrafted for backyard use, whether as a guest suite, artist studio, or creative workspace, our Sitka ADU Kit offers limitless flexibility within a compact framework.

Average Cost to Build an ADU in Massachusetts

An accessory dwelling unit in Massachusetts typically ranges from about $250 to $500 per square foot, depending on your region, site conditions, and design selections.

Variables like local labor rates, foundation requirements, and water/sewer or electrical upgrades can significantly influence the final cost, especially on tighter lots or older properties. Climate-driven considerations, like snow-load roof engineering, high-performance insulation, and moisture control for basements or coastal areas, may also increase overall expenses, depending on your chosen model, layout, finish options, and customizations.

A cozy, modern wooden cabin with large windows is lit warmly at dusk, surrounded by trees and stone landscaping. The sky is clear with a purple and orange gradient.
Massachusetts ADUs

Permitting, Zoning & ADU Regulations in Massachusetts

We have an in-house architectural design team that will meet the unique requirements of your city’s unique regulation and zoning requirements, with dedicated services and code details that support your selected and layout. While Massachusetts doesn’t have one single accessory dwelling unit rule that applies uniformly statewide, building an accessory dwelling unit is often possible on many single-family residential lots, as long as the project meets local zoning, dimensional standards, and building code requirements.

Because accessory dwelling unit policy is largely handled at the city and town level, permitting steps, size limits, and use rules can look very different from one community to the next. Even so, core constraints like setbacks, height restrictions, lot coverage, parking rules, and owner-occupancy requirements (where applicable) are common factors you’ll need to plan around almost anywhere in the state. That’s why it’s essential to review your municipality’s ordinances early and confirm requirements before finalizing an accessory dwelling unit design, your chosen model, and your final layout options and plan details.

ADU Incentives, Grants & Financing in Massachusetts

Several Massachusetts communities are starting to roll out local ADU assistance programs to help homeowners cover early project costs. In Boston, the Boston Home Center’s ADU Financial Assistance Program provides eligible 1 to 3 unit homeowners with staff support and financial help, specifically a grant and a loan to assist with designing, permitting, and building an accessory dwelling unit, including program details and homeowner services that support the practicality of adding a compact backyard house.

Best Cities & Counties to Build an ADU in Massachusetts

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Boston

Boston is actively expanding accessory dwelling unit options through clear city guidance and dedicated homeowner support, including programs administered through the Boston Home Center to help residents navigate accessory dwelling unit creation and project details.

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Salem

Salem is notably ADU-friendly because it allows accessory dwelling units by right under its zoning ordinance framework, meaning qualifying projects generally move forward through building permit review rather than discretionary zoning approval, improving approval efficiency.

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Statewide

Thanks to Massachusetts’ Affordable Homes Act, accessory dwelling units up to 900 square feet must be allowed by right in single-family zoning districts across the Commonwealth, with municipalities still able to apply reasonable dimensional and code requirements, influencing model selection and layout options.

DC Structures

ADU Project Gallery

North Carolina McKenzie Cabin
North Carolina McKenzie Cabin
Based on our McKenzie Cabin Kit, this adorable studio-sized structure in Arden, North Carolina, is truly something out of a storybook.
Magnolia Modern Rogue
Magnolia Modern Rogue
Modeled after our Modern Rogue Cabin Kit, this custom ADU in Magnolia, Texas, offers an interior unlike any other.
Virginia Cabin Kit
Virginia Cabin Kit
Based on our Rogue Cabin Kit, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin utilizes an efficient floor plan that offers all the comforts of a traditional family home.

How ADUs Can Boost Property Value in Massachusetts

With high-demand areas like Greater Boston and the MetroWest corridor, Massachusetts’ limited housing supply and strong rental demand make accessory dwelling units an attractive investment for homeowners across the state and a smart living option. Beyond monthly income, an accessory dwelling unit can be a practicality-first way to offset housing costs and add long-term value in one of the country’s pricier real estate markets, where the average home value is about $645,115.

And because Massachusetts now requires municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units up to 900 sq. ft. by-right in single-family zoning districts, more homeowners have a clearer path to adding a thoughtfully designed secondary unit that can boost livability and market appeal—especially when you choose the right model, and finalize the best layout options and finish details for a compact backyard house built for long-term occupancy.

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A modern kitchen with wooden beams, large windows, gray cabinets, black countertop, island with bar stools, hardwood floors. Warm natural light fills the room, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Start Your Massachusetts ADU Journey

Ready to bring your accessory dwelling unit vision to life in Massachusetts? Our team handles permitting, engineering, and delivery statewide, making it easy to build your prefab backyard house with confidence, with expert services, clear project details, and guidance on the best model and layout options for your property’s practicality, efficiency, and compact living goals.