Belmont, MA · About 3 mi from our Waltham shop
Remodeling Belmont's prewar houses
Belmont's 2016 historic survey picked out nine areas with their own character, from the estate lots of Belmont Hill to the 1890s streets of Belmont Park. Remodeling one means working with its age, its lot and the town's review.
Photo: our work around Greater Boston
- Local historic districts
- 4
- Stay on listed demolitions
- 12 months
- Stormwater permit trigger
- 2,500 sq ft disturbed
- Distinct historic areas (2016 survey)
- 9
- Homes built (median)
- c. 1938
- Owner-occupied homes
- 65%
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates.
Belmont's paperwork
Small lots, old pipes, and a permit packet that asks for both
Belmont's permit packet asks more of an ordinary job than most. Any new building, accessory building or addition needs a plot plan stamped by a Massachusetts registered land surveyor, and it has to show existing and proposed open space and lot coverage percentages. Every application also comes with a debris form naming the licensed facility that will take the waste.
Underground, the town is dealing with old infrastructure. Its stormwater rules say the storm drains are affected by sewage and the sewer by clean water from infiltration and inflow. So when a job needs a new sewer or storm connection, Belmont wants it run from the main, and old service pipes can't be reused unless they're lined in place.
Then there's the house itself. Belmont keeps a list of significant buildings, and if the Historic District Commission finds one preferably preserved, demolition, including partial demolition, waits 12 months while owner and commission look at alternatives.
Nine areas the town singled out
The 2016 Historic Resources Survey named nine parts of Belmont with a shared history or character. They range from 1890s quarter-acre lots in Belmont Park to the seven Carl Koch modern houses on Snake Hill Road, one of the earliest modern house neighborhoods in the country.
- Belmont Center
- Belmont Hill
- Belmont Park
- Clark Hill
- Cushing Square
- Payson Park
- Snake Hill
- Walnut Hill
- Waverley
Town requirements
Belmont rules that shape a project
Drawn from the Office of Planning & Building's permit packet, the stormwater rules and the Historic District Commission. Belmont updates these, so we confirm them with the town when we apply.
Demolition delay for listed buildings
For buildings on Belmont's List of Historically Significant Buildings, a demolition or partial demolition permit is paused until the Historic District Commission holds a hearing. If the building is found preferably preserved, a 12-month stay follows while alternatives are explored.
Source: Belmont Historic District Commission: Demolition Delay Process flowchart, 2026 (PDF)
Local historic districts
Belmont has four local historic districts: Common Street, Pleasant Street, Thaddeus Frost House and Richardson Farm. The Historic District Commission must approve any exterior work in a district before it starts.
Source: Belmont Office of Planning & Building: Building Permit Application Packet, One and Two Family (PDF)
Stormwater and erosion control permit
A permit from the Office of Community Development is required to disturb 2,500 square feet or more, raise a lot's impervious area above 25% of the lot, or place more than 100 cubic yards of fill. The permit packet applies the bylaw to new houses and substantial renovations of one- to three-family homes.
Source: Belmont: Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Rules and Regulations, amended 2023 (PDF)
New sewer and storm services from the main
New sewer and storm drain services must be installed from the main, and existing services can't be reused unless they're lined in place. DPW won't issue a street opening permit until the connection permit is issued.
Source: Belmont: Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Rules and Regulations, amended 2023 (PDF)
Surveyor plot plan with lot coverage
Every permit for a new building, accessory building or addition needs a plot plan stamped by a Massachusetts registered land surveyor. It must follow the town's plot plan regulations and show existing and proposed open space and lot coverage percentages.
Source: Belmont Office of Planning & Building: Building Permit Application Packet, One and Two Family (PDF)
Dumpster permit and debris form
A dumpster needs a permit from the Health Department, and each building permit requires a debris form naming the licensed facility that will take the waste. Town trash pickup doesn't take construction debris.
Source: Belmont Office of Planning & Building: Building Permit Application Packet, One and Two Family (PDF)
Somerset Street scenic road
Somerset Street is a designated scenic road, so the Planning Board must approve any new or widened driveway opening in its stone walls and tree work next to it.
Source: Belmont Office of Planning & Building: Building Permit Application Packet, One and Two Family (PDF)
ADUs under Section 6.14
Belmont's ADU bylaw, Section 6.14, was approved at the March 2025 Town Meeting to meet the state's 2024 housing law. The town's info session notes that a new detached ADU follows the Specialized ('net zero') energy code, while an attached ADU added to a two-family is treated as a three-family under the building code.
Source: Belmont ADU Information Event: Belmont ADU Bylaw Simplified (PDF)
On site
What Belmont lots and houses tend to need
Belmont's housing runs from Pleasant Street farmhouses to 1920s subdivisions, and the lots are often tight. These are the things we plan for.
- Lot coverage on small lots
- In neighborhoods like Belmont Park, laid out on lots under a quarter acre, an addition or a new garage quickly runs into the open space and lot coverage figures the surveyor's plot plan has to show.
- Old sewer and storm laterals
- Because the town won't let unlined old services be reused, a project that touches the sewer connection may mean a new line to the main and a DPW street opening permit.
- Hillside lots
- Belmont Hill and Snake Hill sit on slopes. Regrading or excavating 2,500 square feet or more brings in the stormwater and erosion control permit.
- Dumpsters
- A dumpster needs its own permit from the Health Department, and town trash collection won't take construction debris.
Services
Our services in Belmont
Kitchens lead the list in a town of older single-families and two-families. Baths, basements, additions, rebuilds and iron railings each have their own Belmont wrinkle.
Most asked about in BelmontKitchen remodeling in BelmontLayouts, cabinets, counters and lighting, plus the plumbing and electrical behind them. Planned with you, built by our crew.
Bathroom remodeling in BelmontTile, showers, tubs, vanities & plumbing.
Basement finishing in BelmontFamily rooms, gyms, offices & guest suites.
Home additions in BelmontFamily rooms, bedrooms, sunrooms & garages.
New construction in BelmontNew homes and full rebuilds, start to finish.
Iron work in BelmontStaircases, railings, gates & window guards.
Photos
Our work around Greater Boston
Photos from jobs around Greater Boston show how we handle older houses: kitchens opened to dining rooms, baths rebuilt inside old framing, and iron railings fitted to existing stairs.
Photos: our work around Greater Boston. See the full gallery →
Questions
Belmont questions we hear
Is my Belmont house on the demolition delay list?
Check the town's List of Buildings Subject to Demolition Delay on the Buildings Subject to Demolition Delay page. Inside the four local historic districts, demolition also needs the commission's approval.
When does a Belmont project need a stormwater permit?
When it disturbs 2,500 square feet or more, raises impervious cover above 25% of the lot, or stores more than 100 cubic yards of fill. The packet also applies the bylaw to new houses and substantial renovations.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster in Belmont?
Yes. Belmont's permit packet says a dumpster permit comes from the Health Department, and the building permit requires a debris form naming the disposal facility.
Other towns near Belmont
Where this information comes from
- Belmont Office of Planning & Building: Building Permit Application Packet, One and Two Family (PDF)
- Belmont: Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Rules and Regulations, amended 2023 (PDF)
- Town of Belmont: Buildings Subject to Demolition Delay
- Belmont Historic District Commission: Demolition Delay Process flowchart, 2026 (PDF)
- Town of Belmont: Pleasant Street Historic District
- Town of Belmont: Thaddeus Frost House Historic District
- Town of Belmont: Areas with a Distinctive Shared Historic Association & Character
- Town of Belmont: Accessory Dwelling Units
- Belmont ADU Information Event: Belmont ADU Bylaw Simplified (PDF)
Rules change. These are summaries of Belmont'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
What are you planning for your Belmont home?
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