Lot Coverage Limits: Arlington vs Somerville
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Arlington, MA and Somerville, MA?
Arlington and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
Arlington, MA
Middlesex County
Maximum lot coverage is set by municipal zoning under MGL c.40A. Residential districts commonly cap coverage at 25-40 percent; urban lots allow more.
View full Arlington rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville caps building and impervious lot coverage by district. NR districts typically allow 50 percent building coverage with minimum usable open space.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Suburban typical | 25-40 percent | - |
| Urban metric | FAR often used | - |
| Impervious cap | Tied to MS4 stormwater | - |
| Includes | Buildings, pools, decks | - |
| Relief | ZBA variance | - |
| NR building coverage | - | Around 50 percent |
| Open space | - | 20 to 30 percent pervious |
| MR and commercial | - | FAR-based limits |
| Stormwater trigger | - | 500 sq ft impervious |
| Synthetic turf | - | Counts as impervious |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Does the driveway count?
Some bylaws include paved driveways in impervious surface limits even if not in building coverage.
What if I exceed the cap?
You must seek a variance or reduce the footprint before the building department will issue a permit.
Somerville FAQ
Does a gravel driveway count as impervious?
Compacted gravel with no underdrain typically counts as impervious for zoning. Engineered permeable pavement systems with proper drainage may be treated as pervious with documentation.
Can I pave my whole backyard?
No. You must maintain the minimum usable open space for your district, which is measured as pervious landscaped area. Over-paving triggers a zoning violation.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington and Somerville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool