On December 17, the Town of Boxford passed its MBTA Communities bylaw amendment, becoming the 15th and final community in the MVPC region to adopt a bylaw intended for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. This caps off a slate of fall Town Meetings where several “Adjacent Small Towns” in the region passed bylaws for 3A compliance. Entering 2026, all cities and towns in MVPC’s region are on a path towards full compliance with the law.

The past three years have represented a monumental effort in zoning reform across the Merrimack Valley, with state, regional, and local partners coming together to create multi-family zoning districts in each city and town across the region. MVPC assisted with compliance efforts in all 15 cities and towns and was the lead consultant in eleven communities.

This accomplishment makes MVPC the only Regional Planning Agency in Massachusetts where every member community has approved multi-family zoning districts to meet Section 3A requirements. Achieving full regional participation required sustained collaboration, public engagement, and leadership at the local level, demonstrating an exceptional accomplishment given the scope and complexity of housing zoning reform in each community.

All of MVPC’s services came at no cost to local governments, thanks to grant funding made available to MVPC from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) funding, authorized by the State Legislature, was essential in supporting this work.

Ten communities have already received formal notification from EOHLC confirming their zoning fully satisfies the requirements of Section 3A. These communities have officially attained full compliance, making them eligible for benefits such as the new MBTA Communities Catalyst Grant Program, which provides municipalities with competitive funding for infrastructure to support housing growth.

The remaining communities that have adopted their overlay districts have submitted compliance applications, with the assistance of MVPC, to EOHLC for review.

MVPC would like to extend sincere appreciation to municipal staff, elected officials, local board members, and resident housing advocates whose dedication and collaboration made this regional milestone possible. Through these collective efforts, the Merrimack Valley has established itself as a statewide leader in implementing the MBTA Communities Law and expanding diverse housing opportunities for current and future residents.