Lot Coverage Limits: Burlington vs Cambridge
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Burlington, MA and Cambridge, MA?
Burlington has fewer restrictions than Cambridge.
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 →Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge regulates lot coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) by zoning district, with Residence A limited to modest coverage and business districts allowing much higher intensity with inclusionary housing.
View full Cambridge rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burlington | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Code Reference | Zoning Bylaw Art. VIII, Sec. 850 | - |
| Authority | Planning Dept / Zoning Board | - |
| Recent Update | Jan 2025 ADU / MBTA Comm. amendment | - |
| Variance Body | Zoning Board of Appeals | - |
| Res A FAR | - | 0.5 to 0.75 |
| Res A coverage | - | About 35 percent |
| Business FAR | - | Up to 4.0 plus |
| Bonuses | - | Inclusionary, LEED |
| Open space | - | Required complement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Cambridge FAQ
What is FAR?
Floor Area Ratio is the ratio of total building floor area to lot area; a 0.75 FAR on a 5,000 sf lot allows 3,750 sf of floor area.
Can I get a coverage bonus?
Some bonuses exist for inclusionary housing and green building certifications via special permit.
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