Lot Coverage Limits: Belmont vs Burlington
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Belmont, MA and Burlington, MA?
Belmont and Burlington have similar restriction levels.
Belmont, MA
Middlesex County
Belmont's Zoning Bylaw (Section 4.2, Dimensional Regulations, as amended through March 3, 2025) caps lot coverage at 25% in Single Residence districts (SR-A, SR-B, SR-C) and 30% in General Residence districts. SR-C single-family lots are also limited to 2.5 stories.
View full Belmont rules →Burlington, MA
Middlesex County
Burlington's Zoning Bylaw (Article VIII, Section 850) sets dimensional and lot-coverage standards by district. Residential single-family districts (RO) cap building coverage at a percentage of total lot area, with stricter limits in smaller-lot RO districts. The town updated ADU and dimensional bylaws in early 2025 to align with the MBTA Communities Act.
View full Burlington rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Belmont | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Code Reference | Zoning Bylaw Sec. 4.2 | Zoning Bylaw Art. VIII, Sec. 850 |
| SR Districts Coverage | 25% max | - |
| GR Districts Coverage | 30% max | - |
| SR-C Stories | 2.5 max | - |
| Authority | - | Planning Dept / Zoning Board |
| Recent Update | - | Jan 2025 ADU / MBTA Comm. amendment |
| Variance Body | - | Zoning Board of Appeals |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Belmont FAQ
What is the maximum lot coverage in Belmont MA?
25% in Single Residence districts (SR-A, SR-B, SR-C) and 30% in General Residence districts under Section 4.2 of the Belmont Zoning Bylaw as amended through March 3, 2025.
Can I exceed Belmont's lot coverage limit?
Only with a variance from the Belmont Zoning Board of Appeals. The ZBA reviews variance requests against the standard hardship criteria and impact on neighbors.
Burlington FAQ
Where do I find Burlington MA lot coverage rules?
Article VIII (Section 850) of the Town of Burlington Zoning Bylaw sets dimensional standards including maximum building coverage by district. The Planning Department keeps the current PDF on burlington.org.
Can I exceed the lot coverage cap?
Only with a variance from the Burlington Zoning Board of Appeals. The ZBA evaluates hardship factors and surrounding context before granting any dimensional relief.
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