Welcome to our future website! Learn more

Guidance and Requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units

Site Plan Review Decision Required Before Use

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are permitted as of right, subject to site plan review by the
    Planning Board
  • An ADU use is only allowed once the property owner obtains a Site Plan Review Decision from the Planning Board and the Decision is recorded at the Worcester District Registry of Deeds

Pre-Existing ADUs

Any ADU currently in existence without a Site Plan Review Decision must be brought into compliance through Site Plan Review Application.

Building Permit Required Before Construction of ADU

  • You need a building permit from the Building Inspector
  • No building permit will be issued without a Site Plan Review Decision from the Planning Board

To Obtain Site Plan Review

Property owner must submit the required fee and the following documents to the Building Department:

Site Plan Review Application

Plot Plan and Scaled Architectural Drawings of the Existing Principal Dwelling Unit

Plans and drawing showing the follow satisfy Site Plan Review plan requirements:

  • All proposed alterations and additions
  • The location of all septic systems, wells, and driveways
  • The location of all buildings and other structures
  • Setback distances as relate to area and yard regulations of Section VI of the Zoning By-Laws
  • Stormwater management
  • Proposed tree removal
  • Proposed re-grading
  • The location of all wetlands and stating the means by which the location of those wetlands were determined

Rendering Showing Existing and New Exterior Elevations

This is only required if any new exterior construction is planned for the ADU

Floor Plan of Proposed ADU

  • Include a calculation of the square footage of the gross living area of the completed ADU and the square footage of the gross living area of the primary dwelling
  • If the ADU is proposed to be located in a building that is over 100 years old, the property owner must also submit a copy of the Site Plan Review Application to the Princeton Historical Commission

Planning Board Review of the Application at a Public Meeting

  • Once the Site Plan Review Application and fee are received by the Building Department, the Planning Board will review the application at a public meeting
  • The Applicant should plan to appear at the meeting to review with the Planning Board the
    proposed use, application, the criteria in Section XVII of the Zoning By-Laws for ADUs and the applicable criteria in Section XII of the Zoning By-Laws for Site Plan Review

The Planning Board May Ask About

  • Design and age of the septic system
  • Any new outdoor lighting that may be installed in relation to the proposed ADU

Following the Applicant’s presentation on the Site Plan Review Application

  • Members of the public may provide comment
  • The Planning Board will deliberate on the reasonable conditions that may be imposed in the Site Plan Review Decision

After the Site Plan is Approved by the Planning Board

  • The Planning Board Chair will draft a Site Plan Review Decision and will provide it to the Applicant
  • A discussion of the draft Decision will be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting
  • The Applicant may choose to attend that upcoming meeting or not
  • At that next meeting, the Decision will be reviewed, edited as necessary, and signed.
  • The Chair will give the signed Decision to the Town Clerk

Next Steps

  • There is a 20-day appeal period
  • If there is no appeal, the Town Clerk will certify the Decision
  • The Applicant will then take the Decision to Registry of Deeds in Worcester and have it recorded

After Construction

The Site Plan Review Decision will require that the Applicant obtain an occupancy permit, which means that the Building Inspector will have to determine that the ADU as designed and constructed meets code requirements.

Questions or Concerns?

  • The Planning Board is always willing to have an informal discussion before an application is filed, which often assists both the Applicant and the Planning Board in ensuring a clear and expedient decision
  • Questions about an Application for Site Plan Review should be directed to the Building Department, which will respond or forward to the Planning Board for response
Close window