New ‘net zero' building code could worsen Mass. housing crisis, study says

By Greg Ryan • Published June 27, 2023 • Updated on June 27, 2023 at 10:19 am

Darrin DeCoste and his partners at Stoneridge Mutual Properties broke ground on a 40-unit apartment building in Brockton last fall, but building permits have fallen off region-wide so far this year.

A new Massachusetts building code meant to spur “net zero” development would increase construction costs and potentially worsen the state’s housing crisis if incentives are not offered to help offset the added expense, according to a study published Tuesday.

The report calls on lawmakers to pair the specialized stretch energy code’s adoption with zoning reforms, streamlined permitting and other changes. The study is from the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts, with research from the MIT Center for Real Estate and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

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