Accessory dwelling units are allowed within the RA, RA1, RB
and RB1 Districts under certain situations to:
A. Create
new housing units while respecting the character and scale of single
and two-family homes.
B. Increase
the housing stock of existing neighborhoods in a manner that is less
intense than alternatives.
C. Allow
more efficient use of existing housing stock and infrastructure.
D. Provide
a mix of housing that responds to changing family needs and smaller
households.
E. Provide
a means for residents, particularly seniors, single parents, and families
with grown children, to remain in their homes and neighborhoods, and
obtain extra income, security, companionship, and services.
F. Provide
a broader range of accessible and more affordable housing.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)
"Accessory dwelling unit"
means a dwelling unit containing no more than one bedroom and comprising no less than three hundred fifty square feet and no more than six hundred square feet within an owner-occupied single family located within the RA and RA1 District and no more than two bedrooms comprising no less than three hundred fifty square feet and no more than nine hundred square feet or no more than forty percent of the gross floor area (whichever is less) of a single family structure within the RB and RB1 District which is in compliance with parking, building and fire safety codes and in compliance with the requirements of Section
17.25.020.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)
A. All
accessory units within a single-family dwelling must meet the following
requirements:
1. The
owner of the property on which the accessory unit is to be created
shall occupy either the principal dwelling unit or accessory unit
for a minimum of two years. Proof of owner occupancy can be established
by two of the following documents:
a. A valid, unexpired Massachusetts ID.
b. A valid unexpired Massachusetts driver's license.
d. A voter registration card.
2. There
shall be no boarders or lodgers allowed in either dwelling unit.
3. There
shall be no more than one legally occupied dwelling unit in a structure
that is seeking to create an accessory dwelling unit.
4. No
structure that is not connected to the public water and sanitary sewer
systems shall have an accessory unit.
5. No
accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted below the FEMA one hundred-year
base flood elevation established on the FEMA one hundred-year flood
hazard map for the city of Revere.
6. The
accessory unit shall be located within the principal structure.
7. The
maximum gross floor area of an accessory dwelling unit shall not be
less than three hundred fifty gross square feet and no more than six
hundred gross square feet with no more than one bedroom within the
RA and RA1 District.
8. The
maximum gross floor area of an accessory dwelling unit shall not be
less than three hundred fifty square feet and not more than nine hundred
gross square feet and no more than forty percent of the gross floor
area (whichever is less) of the existing structure with not more than
two bedrooms within the RB and RB1 district.
9. There
shall be no enlargements or extensions of the dwelling in connection
with the creation of an accessory unit except for minimal additions
necessary to comply with building, fire safety, or health codes, or
enclosure of an entryway, or for enclosure of a stairway to a second
story. Any enlargements or extensions for these purposes must conform
to the dimensional controls of this title.
10. No accessory dwelling units shall be allowed within a duplex or townhouse
dwelling or condominium.
11. Accessory dwelling units cannot have separate ownership.
12. Commercial use is prohibited within an accessory dwelling unit.
13. The accessory dwelling unit must comply with all building, fire safety
and health codes and shall be designed so that the appearance of the
principal structure maintains that of a single-family dwelling.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)
A. There
shall be no parking required for an accessory dwelling unit in cases
where the accessory dwelling unit is within a single-family dwelling
that is located within one-half mile radius of an MBTA transit station,
and the existing single-family dwelling meets the required parking
of two off-street parking spaces.
B. For
single-family dwellings that are located further than one-half mile
radius from an MBTA transit station, there shall be one additional
parking space required for the accessory dwelling unit in addition
to the two off-street parking spaces required for the single family.
An accessory unit parking space may not be created within the front
yard but may be created within the side yard to allow up to three
vehicle tandem parking.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)
Upon the transfer of ownership of a property that contains an
accessory dwelling unit, a covenant must be signed by the new owner
and recorded in the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds that states that
the accessory dwelling unit must conform with the requirements of
this title as an accessory dwelling unit within an owner-occupied
property. Owner shall provide permission to the city municipal inspections
department and fire department to inspect the property annually and
agrees to provide full and voluntary access to the residence on forty-eight
hours' notice from the city.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)
A. Any
person who (i) offers an accessory unit within a single-family dwelling
as an accessory dwelling unit where such unit is not an eligible accessory
dwelling unit, (ii) fails to occupy either the principal dwelling
unit or accessory dwelling unit for a minimum of two years, (iii)
neglects to provide proof of owner occupancy, or (iv) fails to comply
with other provisions of this chapter shall be fined three hundred
dollars per violation per day. Each day's failure to comply with a
notice of violation or any other order shall constitute a separate
violation. In addition to fines described in this section, the city
may seek an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin
the offering, advertising, or using of the unit as an accessory dwelling
unit.
B. The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced in accordance with R.R.O. Chapter
1.12, Article II, Article III, or by seeking to restrain a violation by a court-ordered injunction.
(C.O. 22-152, § 1, 7/11/2022)