Lot Coverage Limits: Somerville vs Wakefield
How do lot coverage limits rules compare between Somerville, MA and Wakefield, MA?
Somerville and Wakefield have similar restriction levels.
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 →Wakefield, 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 Wakefield rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Somerville | Wakefield |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Suburban typical | - | 25-40 percent |
| Urban metric | - | FAR often used |
| Impervious cap | - | Tied to MS4 stormwater |
| Includes | - | Buildings, pools, decks |
| Relief | - | ZBA variance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Wakefield 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.
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