What is the MBTA Communities Law?

The MBTA Communities Law (also known as “3A”) is bipartisan legislation  signed by then Gov. Charlie Baker in January 2021 to address the housing crisis in Massachusetts.

The Law requires 177 communities served by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and those adjacent to MBTA towns, including Holden, to adopt zoning that allows for the development of designated district(s) where multi-family housing is allowed as of right.  

The law requires that districts be at least 50 acres, allow at least 15 units per acre, be suitable for families with children, and carry no age restrictions.

“Multi-family housing” means…

A building with three or more residential dwelling units

or

Two or more buildings on the same lot, with more than one residential dwelling unit in each building.