Lot Coverage Limits: Burlington vs Waltham
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Burlington, MA and Waltham, MA?
Burlington has fewer restrictions than Waltham.
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 →Waltham, MA
Middlesex County
Waltham residential zones limit building lot coverage to 25 to 35 percent and cap floor area ratio for single-family homes to preserve neighborhood character.
View full Waltham rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burlington | Waltham |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| A-1 Building Cover | - | 25 percent typical |
| A-1 Impervious | - | 50 percent total |
| B District | - | 35 percent building |
| Residential FAR | - | 0.40 to 0.60 |
| Pervious Pavers | - | Reduce calculated coverage |
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.
Waltham FAQ
Does my Waltham driveway count toward lot coverage?
Yes, paved driveways count toward impervious coverage limits. Pervious pavers or gravel may reduce the calculated coverage depending on materials.
Can I exceed lot coverage with a special permit?
Sometimes, yes. The Zoning Board of Appeals can grant variances, but coverage relief is discretionary and requires hardship.
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