[Massplanners] ADUs and Gross Floor Area

[Grant, Michael]

Leeann

You will want to speak with the building official for your town.  The required ceiling height for a habitable basement under the residential building code is not 7' 6".   It is amended by the state to be less much less.  Have the building official look at section R305.1 of the MA amendments for the residential building code.

Michael Grant
Inspector of Buildings/Zoning Enforcement Officer
888 Worcester Street, Suite 160
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-431-1019 Ext 2220
Direct Dial 781-489-7452

mgrant at wellesleyma.gov

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From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Leeann Bradley via MassPlanners
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 3:04 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] ADUs and Gross Floor Area


[ EXTERNAL EMAIL :  This message originated outside of the TOWN OF WELLESLEY mail system. DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe.]
Good Afternoon,

I have a question regarding Gross Floor Area (GFA) on the height of basements in a by-right ADU.  If a basement height requirement for a habitable room, per the state building code, is 7'6" and plans for an ADU Site Plan Review are received with a basement height of 7'4", is the basement area not considered part of the Gross Floor Area, i.e., the 900s.f. limit for a by-right ADU?   If this is the case, we may be seeing ADU's amounting to 1,800s.f. with basements being illegally constructed.  Thank you.


Leeann Bradley
Director of Planning and Community Development
Town Hall Annex
20 Center Street
Middleborough, MA 02346
508-946-2425 ext. 1150

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has".
Margaret Mead
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