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The Housing Revolution That's Reshaping Boston Real Estate: Inside the MBTA Communities Act

Under 1 min read
October 31, 2025
THE BOTTOM LINE

Section 3A mandates multi-family zoning near transit in 177 towns—SJC ruled compliance mandatory, not optional. Immediate 5× land value spikes in newly zoned areas, 40K projected units, and fundamental shifts in development feasibility are reshaping Boston real estate now.

WHO NEEDS THIS

Investors tracking opportunities, homeowners watching zoning battles, buyers wondering why parcels sold for 5× assessed value.

KEY INSIGHTS
  • MA Supreme Court (Jan 2025): Compliance mandatory, Attorney General has enforcement power
  • 177 cities/towns must create multi-family zones—no opt-out by declining state grants
  • Lexington example: Newly zoned parcels seeing 5× value increases overnight
  • 40,000 new housing units projected over decade, concentrated near transit stations
  • Implementation ranges from proactive adoption to defiance—legal battles continue
DO THIS NEXT

Check if your target town complied or faces enforcement—zoning maps now public on town websites.

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