Skip to content

Policy & Trends Blog

Blog_Header2020

Judge Dismisses Case Against MBTA Communities Act; Draft BERDO Amendments Released; NAIOP Comments on Article 80 Proposal; Regulatory Deadlines Impacting New and Existing Buildings Approaching

June 18, 2025

In June, there were important updates related to the MBTA Communities Act, the Article 80 Modernization process, and the City of Boston’s BERDO regulations.

Additionally, the Building Code Concurrency Period between the 9th and 10th Editions ends on June 30, 2025; and statewide large building energy reporting begins June 30.

Governor Files Energy Affordability Legislation; DOER Hosts Building Energy Reporting Webinar

May 14, 2025

On May 13, the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed energy affordability legislation designed to save customers money, bring more energy into Massachusetts, increase accountability of the utilities and drive innovation. 

On Monday, May 19, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is hosting a webinar to provide a guided walkthrough of the energy reporting guidelines for the Large Building Energy Reporting Law. Attendees will learn how to obtain, report, and submit their building energy benchmarking report. The tools discussed will include ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and the Building Energy Analysis (BEAM) Tool. Reporting is due by June 30, 2025.

Permanent MBTA Communities Regulations in Effect

April 16, 2025

On Monday, April 14, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the release of final regulations for M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3A, otherwise known as the MBTA Communities Act. These regulations are in effect.

According to the final regulations, communities that did not meet prior deadlines to submit new zoning to the state will have until July 14, 2025 to submit a district compliance application to EOHLC. Communities designated as adjacent small towns still have a December 31, 2025 deadline to submit district compliance applications.

NAIOP is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing successful implementation of the MBTA Communities Act. According to the announcement, currently, 68 communities are deemed compliant or conditionally compliant with the Act. A total of 119 communities have adopted multifamily zoning to comply with the law.

Archives

The above archive includes blogs posted from December 2020 onward, and reflect NAIOP updates from July 2020 to present. For posts prior to July 2020, please visit NAIOP's archived blog.

Scroll To Top