Proposed local transfer fees in Eastern Massachusetts
Which places have asked, how the process works, and where things stand in October 2026.
Several cities and towns have asked to add a local transfer fee on top of the state deed excise. As of October 2026, none has been adopted in any town we serve. The newest is Boston's H.5464, which is still waiting on the Legislature.
How a local fee would get approved
A city or town cannot add a transfer fee on its own. First the local council or town meeting votes to ask. Then it files a home rule petition with the state. The Legislature has to pass it and the Governor has to sign it. Most of these requests have stalled at the state level.
Who has asked
Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Concord and Arlington are among the places that have asked for permission in past years. The ideas varied, but most aimed the fee at higher-priced sales and put the money toward affordable housing. None of those requests became law.
Boston's 2026 petition (H.5464)
- Rate: up to 2%.
- Applies to: only the part of a sale price above $2 million.
- Paid by: the seller.
- Status: needs the Legislature and the Governor. Not approved as of October 2026.
For what this would mean for a Boston seller, see does Boston have a transfer tax?
What we do with proposals
We do not count a proposed fee as a cost of sale. Our cost-to-sell numbers use the state rate only. If a fee is adopted in a town we serve, we will update this page and our numbers.
Sources
Questions this page answers
Does any town near Boston charge a local transfer fee?
No town we serve does as of October 2026. Sellers pay only the state deed excise.
Which towns have asked for a transfer fee?
Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Concord and Arlington are among the places that have asked the Legislature for permission in the past. None of those requests became law.
What is in Boston's 2026 proposal?
Bill H.5464 would allow up to 2% on the part of a sale above $2 million, paid by the seller. It needs the Legislature and the Governor to approve it.
Why does a town need the Legislature to approve a fee?
Cities and towns in Massachusetts cannot create a new tax like this on their own. They file a home rule petition, and the state has to pass it.