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Princeton Housing By-laws

Open Space Residential Design

  • Applies to proposed subdivisions with 5 or more lots
  • Requires a developer to set aside 50% of the land as open space with the homes clustered along a shared driveway
  • Significantly reduces the environmental impact of subdivisions
  • Covered in Section XIV in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Backlot Development

  • Preserves Princeton’s “roadscape” by reducing the number of cuts in our historic stone walls
  • Homes share a common driveway and are at least 300 feet from the roadway
  • Covered in Section XV in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Accessory Dwelling Units

  • Provide small dwelling units which may be rented
  • Enable owners of large dwellings to share space and the burdens of homeownership
  • Covered in Section XVII in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Village Overlay District

  • Allows mixed used development, especially housing over retail space
  • The district is located on the west side of Worcester Road from Stagecoach Road to the north end of the business district
  • VOD is covered in Section XIX in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Short Term Rentals

  • Leasing a dwelling to a tenant for less than 31 days
  • The owner can live in the dwelling or not
  • You may rent out your home for up to 60 days in a calendar year
  • A special permit from the Planning Board is required
  • Covered in Section XVIII 1 (B) in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Boarding

  • Renting a bedroom or suite of rooms to a tenant, who stays for at least 31 days
  • You may have up to two guest bedrooms or suites
  • A special permit from the Planning Board is required
  • Covered in Section XVIII 1 (B) in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Bed and Breakfast

  • Offering lodging in a dwelling for no more than seven consecutive nights
  • The owner must be in residence
  • A special permit from the Planning Board is required
  • Covered in Section XVIII 1 (B) in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws

Conversion From Single Family to 2 or 3 Family

  • Large homes on large parcels can be remodeled into a two-family or three-family home
  • Homes on 3 or more acres can be remodeled to become a 2 family
  • Homes on 5 or more acres of land can be remodeled into either a 2 or a 3 family home
  • Conversion is covered in in Section III 1 (B) in the Princeton Zoning Bylaws
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