Lot Coverage Limits: Belmont vs Somerville
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Belmont, MA and Somerville, MA?
Belmont and Somerville 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 →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 | Belmont | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Code Reference | Zoning Bylaw Sec. 4.2 | - |
| SR Districts Coverage | 25% max | - |
| GR Districts Coverage | 30% max | - |
| SR-C Stories | 2.5 max | - |
| 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.
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.
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.
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