Question 7: should every town allow a single family home on a 5,000 square foot lot?

Question 7 would allow a single family home on lots of 5,000 square feet or more, with 50 feet of frontage and public sewer and water, in every city and town except Boston. Today each town sets its own rules for how much land a home needs.

A Yes vote makes that change. A No vote keeps local zoning rules as they are.

Supporters say large minimum lots raise home prices. Opponents say local officials know local land, roads and schools best.

As of Oct. 26, the Yes side had reported about $1.7 million, and no committee against was listed, according to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Read the full Question 7 explainer, with what each vote does, the background, the data and every source. The Cape Ann Current takes no position on any ballot question.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting runs through Thursday, Oct. 29, in Essex and through Friday, Oct. 30, in Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester; see the last week of early voting for hours. All nine questions and the candidates are in our Election 2026 guide.