The Effects of Land Use Policies on Modular Home Construction: A Comparative Case Study of Three Counties in Massachusetts

Abstract

The primary objective of this comparative case study is to identify the law and policy barriers to modular home construction in Massachusetts with a particular focus on restrictive covenants and municipal land use policies. This is a comparative case study of 3 counties in Massachusetts including Dukes County, Nantucket County, and Barnstable County. The three counties in the study were chosen on the basis that they share the same population range of 10,000- 20,000, and the similar cost of construction for new homes ranging $200,000-$600,000 from 2007-2009. A Registry of Deeds search was also conducted from 2003-2013 to identify any restrictive covenants that prohibit on the mode of construction during this timeframe.The main findings in the study conclude there are no law and policy barriers to modular home construction in the three counties in the case study. Modular homes must be built to the same standard as site-built homes according to the Massachusetts State Building Code, which is the only building code in Massachusetts. The study also concluded there is a lack of awareness of modular homes being a viable building option, which leads to the discrimination of modular homes. Creating an awareness that modular homes have evolved into an equally comparable product in relation to site-built homes is the key element to the future success of modular home construction. The research also concludes that restrictive covenants are not a barrier to modular home construction in the three counties in Massachusetts. The Registry of Deeds search did not identify any restrictive covenants that prohibit on the mode of construction from 2003-2013. The continuation of this study in other counties in Massachusetts, other New England states, and into the southern part of the country will bring the modular home industry closer to an answer in rectifying the restrictive covenant dilemma that currently exists in the south.