Recently, someone reached out to me. They were looking into Lexington due to their child's school, but mentioned that the prices for single-family homes were too high, so they wanted to start with renting.

In the past, my answer would have been brief. I would have said that there are very few rental listings in Lexington. However, now the answer has changed a bit.

The reason is one piece of legislation. It's known as the MBTA Community Law, specifically Massachusetts General Law Section 3A.

This provision, included in the 2021 Economic Development Act, requires towns that are served by or adjacent to MBTA public transportation to designate areas where multi-family housing can be built without a permitting process. This is referred to as by-right development.

Although Lexington does not have a train station, it is classified as an adjacent town to the commuter rail. The minimum standards set by the state require a capacity for 1,231 multi-family units and a minimum of 50 acres.

However, Lexington went far beyond these standards. In April 2023, at a town meeting, a zone of 227 acres was approved by a vote of 107 to 63.

Theoretically, this could accommodate nearly 13,500 units. That's more than ten times the minimum standard, and I was quite surprised when I first saw that number.

The results came quickly. In just two years, 1,097 units have been proposed through this zoning change. Considering that new multi-family housing has been rare in the area, this is a significant change.

As a result, resident reactions have been mixed. Concerns about school overcrowding, traffic, and changes to the neighborhood atmosphere have increased.

On the other hand, some welcomed it as a way to alleviate housing costs. For young families or residents looking to downsize after retirement, this provided new options.

Ultimately, a special town meeting was held in March 2025 due to resident petitions. A proposal to reduce the capacity to 2,411 units passed with a vote of 164 to 9.

Eight zones were removed, and the area where multi-family housing could be built without a permit was reduced to less than half. Lexington Center was also excluded from this.

The important thing is what happened next. The already proposed 1,097 units were allowed to proceed as planned. Therefore, construction sites are still active today.

A notable example is at 17 Hartwell Avenue. BXP is demolishing an old office building to construct 312 apartment units.

Construction began in July 2025, with a completion target of mid-2027. It will be a five-story building with a separate parking structure, along with a restaurant and convenience store.

According to Lexington's inclusionary zoning regulations, 15% of this development will be allocated to households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI). If you meet the income criteria, it's worth considering.

Near Hartwell Avenue, close to Hanscom Air Force Base, a rental complex with 290 units has also been proposed. This plan allocates 15%, or 44 units, based on the same income criteria.

There are also examples in the sales market. The first project to break ground under this zoning is Lex Residences at 93 Bedford Street.

This development consists of a total of 32 condominium units, with 30 units in a new three-story building and 2 units in a preserved older home.

In the first half of this year, a lottery for affordable units was conducted. The two-bedroom units were priced at $312,500, and the three-bedroom units at $345,000, with income criteria set at 80% of AMI.

Among the market-rate units in the same building, there were listings exceeding $1.89 million. It's important to note the significant price differences within the same building.

Returning to the initial inquiry, it's clear that the path to renting in Lexington has widened compared to before.

Previously, rentals in Lexington were mostly entire single-family homes or older small complexes. This is the first time we're seeing a trend of new large developments coming onto the market all at once.

However, most of the new large developments are concentrated in commercial areas like Hartwell Avenue. You will need to check the distance and commuting options to schools or centers separately.

Affordable units are allocated through a lottery system, so if you miss the announcement, you may lose your chance. The application period is also not long, lasting just about two months. Be sure to keep an eye on the housing announcements on the town's website and the leasing office information for each complex.

Income criteria also vary based on household size. Before applying, it's advisable to review the table in the announcement to see if your household qualifies. There may also be separate asset criteria.

Zoning regulations can change in the future. For the most accurate information regarding zones or specific conditions, it's best to check directly with the Lexington Town Planning Department.

In numbers, Lexington opened up much more than the state standards before reducing it again. Nevertheless, the rental landscape in the neighborhood will likely change significantly with the supply that has already begun.

Personally, I find this change encouraging. It provides a foothold for families who want to live in Lexington for the school district but have been held back by housing prices.

If I were in their position, I would plan around the new developments on Hartwell set to open in 2027. I would also check the income criteria beforehand.