Reclaim Local Zoning Control in Massachusetts!
A diverse coalition of Massachusetts residents from Manchester, Gloucester, Winthrop, Hamilton, Lynn, Halifax, Boxford, Rowley, Newton, North Reading, Billerica, Ipswich, Milton, Duxbury, Wilmington, Westminster, Malden, and Rockport is rallying to challenge the state’s MBTA Communities Act (Section 3A). This law mandates multifamily zoning in 177 communities, often overriding local control and fueling concerns about overdevelopment. Now, you have a chance to fight back and restore, preserve and protect zoning sovereignty in our towns and cities.

The Fight Against 3A
On August 6, 2025, the coalition submitted four Initiative Petitions (25-32 to 25-35) to the Attorney General’s Office to dismantle or limit the impact of Section 3A. Currently under review by the Attorney General's office, these petitions are expected to be certified by early September, and aim to:

• Repeal MBTA Zoning (25-32): Completely nullify Section 3A and any existing 3A zones.

• Preserve Local Control (25-33): Prohibit state interference in local zoning (except Chapter 40B) and repeal conflicting laws.

• Prevent Overdevelopment (25-34): Limit state-mandated density to 5 units per acre and require special permits for developments exceeding 10 units per acre.

• Reform the Zoning Process (25-35): Mandate a 2/3 majority for zoning changes, a 21-day gap between public hearings and adoption, written reports from planning boards, and a 3-year wait before reintroducing defeated zoning proposals unless approved by special election.

Why This Matters
The MBTA Communities Act, part of Massachusetts’ response to the housing crisis, requires towns served by or near MBTA transit to zone for multifamily housing, often without sufficient local input. Critics argue it threatens the character of small towns, strains infrastructure, and dismisses community priorities. For example, resistance is growing in places like North Reading and Milton, where residents and officials have voiced concerns about “overreach” and “invasion” of local sovereignty.

The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing these petitions to ensure they meet constitutional requirements, with certification decisions expected by September 3, 2025. If approved, the coalition must collect 74,574 signatures by December 3, 2025, to place these measures on the November 2026 ballot. A second round of 12,429 signatures may be needed by July 2026 if the Legislature does not act.

A United Stand for Local Control
These petitions represent a united, non-partisan effort by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to ensure that zoning decisions reflect the will of local communities, not state mandates.

This initiative transcends party lines, uniting residents who believe in local governance and sustainable development. By collecting enough signatures, we can let voters—not bureaucrats—decide the fate of Section 3A in November 2026.

Let’s protect our communities from over-development and restore the right to shape our own neighborhoods.