Shed permit rules in Wellesley, MA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Wellesley's Building Department exempts one-story sheds/accessory buildings of 100 square feet or less from a building permit, but they must still comply with Zoning Bylaw Section 19(B). Sheds cannot be placed within the first 30 feet of a lot abutting a roadway; side and rear yard setbacks do not apply. Anything over 100 sq ft needs a permit and a certified plot plan.
The Town of Wellesley's Building Department administers shed and accessory-structure permitting consistent with the Massachusetts State Building Code 10th Edition (780 CMR) and the Wellesley Zoning Bylaw. Under the BLD014 Quick Guide, a one-story accessory building of 100 square feet or less does not need a building permit, but Zoning Bylaw Section 19(B) governs placement — the shed cannot be located within the first 30 feet of any lot line abutting a roadway. Side and rear yard setback requirements do not apply to under-100 sq ft sheds. Sheds larger than 100 sq ft require a full building permit and a certified plot plan showing the proposed structure. Section 16E (Tree Protection and Preservation) may also apply if the new structure adds significant lot coverage.
Placing a shed inside the 30-foot road-facing setback or building over 100 sq ft without a permit is a zoning violation. The Building Inspector can require relocation or removal and issue daily fines under the bylaw's general penalty.
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