Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, and front-yard parking through local zoning boards.
Middlesex County has no countywide driveway standard. Each of the 54 cities and towns enforces its own zoning bylaw governing driveway width, surface material, setbacks, and curb cut permits. Cambridge Zoning Ordinance Article 6 limits residential curb cuts and prohibits paving over most required front yards. Somerville Zoning Ordinance restricts front-yard parking and requires Traffic and Parking Department approval for any new curb cut. Lowell, Framingham, and Newton require building or DPW permits before constructing or widening a driveway, and most municipalities cap impervious coverage in residential districts. State DOT approval is required for driveways connecting to state highways under 720 CMR 13.00. Historic district commissions in Concord, Lexington, and Cambridge review driveway paving materials in designated districts.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Middlesex County's driveway rules rules stack up against other locations.
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