About 5 mi from our Waltham shop
Basement finishing in Wellesley, MA
A Wellesley basement can now become a legal apartment under Section 5.13, but the town's ADU design rules on entrances and exterior stairs shape the layout.
The ADU's exterior door cannot face a street, and any outside stair must be hidden from public view. On a basement unit that usually means a side or rear entry, which we plan with the egress window and grading.
Plumbing is the other early question. A basement bath or kitchenette ties into the building sewer, and any new sewer work in Wellesley is inspected by DPW Engineering along its whole length before it is buried.
Questions
Basement finishing in Wellesley, answered.
Can I rent out a basement apartment in Wellesley?
Yes, as an accessory dwelling unit, with a minimum lease of 30 days or the town's short-term rental period, whichever is longer. The unit cannot be sold separately or made a condominium.
Our basement finishing work.
See all 5 photos →
Photos from our jobs around Greater Boston.
Basement finishing near Wellesley.
Where this information comes from
- Wellesley Zoning Bylaw Section 5.13, Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF)
- Wellesley DPW: Sewer Service Connection Procedures and Specifications (PDF)
- Wellesley Building Department
- Wellesley Planning Department
- Wellesley Planning: Large House Review Information
- Wellesley Planning: Demolition Review Bylaw Information (Article 46C)
- Wellesley Building Department: Tree Bylaw Information
- Town of Wellesley: Section 16E Tree Bylaw, rev. February 2021 (PDF)
- Wellesley Planning: Accessory Dwelling Units
- Wellesley Historic District Commission
- Wellesley Climate Action: Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code
- Wellesley Climate Action Office: Article 36 summary, ATM 2023 (PDF)
- Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee: Do I Need a Wetland Permit?
Rules change. These are summaries of Wellesley's and Massachusetts' published rules as of our last check, not legal advice; your project's permits are confirmed with the town when we file them.
Free estimate
Planning basement finishing in Wellesley?
We'll come out, measure, listen, and send a written estimate. The visit is free and there's no pressure to sign.
Call 617-934-1875