On October 20, 2026, the Housing Partnership Board (HPB) voted to support Massachusetts Ballot Question #7 to Legalize Starter Homes.

We are in the middle of a housing crisis. Smaller 5,000 square feet lots with 50 feet of frontage and access to water and sewer would allow smaller homes to be built in Lexington and across Massachusetts.

Presently, Lexington is zoned for 15,500 square foot and 30,000 square foot residential lots, though there are lots which were zoned prior to the current residential zoning, which are much smaller.

Due to very high land costs, houses built on lots meeting current zoning standards are very large and very expensive. While 5,000 square foot lots do not guarantee affordable homes, homes built on these lots will be smaller than those built on much bigger lots ( 15,500 square feet and 30,000 square feet) and will be more attainable.

We hope that Lexington residents will join the HPB and vote YES on Question #7, an opportunity to create smaller lots and more attainable housing. 

Nanette Byrnes, Chair on behalf of the Housing Partnership Board

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