Stow, Massachusetts’ zoning laws include provisions for an Active Adult Neighborhood Overlay District, which emphasizes design elements to promote aging in place, such as ADA accessibility, clustering of buildings, and the provision of community gathering spaces. Active Adult Neighborhoods are subdivisions on at least 25 acres of land, allowing single-family homes, cottages, duplexes, triplexes and four-plexes. At least 30% of units must be less than 1,800 square feet in size, and at least half of those must be detached single-family dwellings. The maximum density is three units per acre. At least 15% of units must be affordable to low-income households. Both the homes and public realm must be accessible to people with disabilities, and the development must include shared community spaces for residents.

• Stow’s Active Adult Neighborhood Special Permit Rules and Regulations