This film examines a very controversial Massachusetts's law called The Comprehensive Permit Law, commonly referred to as Chapter 40B. It allows a builder/developer to by-pass almost all of a town's local zoning, if the builder agrees to make a small percentage (20-25%) of the units built, affordable according to state guidelines. The law has stirred great controversy regarding density, state vs. municipalities rights, profit abuse and defining just who should control the fabric of a community, the state or its citizens. It has a deep ideological component and has set neighbor against neighbor. The law has been pilloried by the Massachusetts Inspector General, who states the cities and towns are owed approximately 100 million dollars- over 40 years- by unscrupulous developers who hid profits made over the 20% profit limit required by the statute. The supporters of Chapter 40B state it is the only mechanism with which to provide affordable housing in one of the most exclusionary [zoned] states in the country.