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Home additions in Wellesley, MA
Wellesley additions can trigger Large House Review, the Tree Bylaw and demolition review at once, depending on size, footprint and the age of the house.
The footprint test for trees is simple: if the addition grows the existing footprint by 50% or more, the Tree Bylaw applies and protected trees in the Tree Yard need a protection and mitigation plan. Large House Review uses a different measure, the TLAG total.
On a pre-1950 house, an addition that envelops half or more of the exterior counts as demolition under Article 46C. Planning the connection to touch less of the old wall can keep the project out of that review.
Wellesley rules that apply
What Wellesley requires for home additions.
- 1
Large House Review above the TLAG threshold
New homes over their district's Total Living Area plus Garage Space threshold, and additions that raise TLAG by 10% or more to a total above it, need Planning Board approval before a building permit. The applicant first files a TLAG affidavit and plans with the Building Department.
- 2
Demolition review for pre-1950 dwellings
Demolishing, or removing or enveloping 50% or more of the exterior of, a dwelling built on or before December 31, 1949 requires Historical Commission review. If the house is found Preferably Preserved, a 12-month delay applies; interior changes and non-structural roofing and siding work are not subject to review.
Source: Wellesley Planning: Demolition Review Bylaw Information (Article 46C)
- 3
Tree Bylaw protection plans
Wellesley's Tree Bylaw applies when a project demolishes a structure with a footprint of 250 square feet or more, builds on a vacant lot, builds regulated retaining walls, or adds 50% or more to the existing footprint. Protected trees sit in a Tree Yard along the lot lines whose depth depends on the zoning district.
Source: Town of Wellesley: Section 16E Tree Bylaw, rev. February 2021 (PDF)
- 4
Wetland buffer and 25-foot no-disturbance zone
Work within 100 feet of a wetland resource area, or 200 feet of a river, stream or vernal pool, may need a permit from the Wetlands Protection Committee. The 25 feet nearest a resource area is a no-disturbance zone, and grading, tree removal and new impervious surface all count as work.
Source: Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee: Do I Need a Wetland Permit?
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Questions
Home additions in Wellesley, answered.
How long does Large House Review add to a Wellesley addition?
The town estimates three to four months from submission to building permit, including a Design Review Board meeting about a month in and a Planning Board meeting about two months in.
Home additions near Wellesley.
Where this information comes from
- Wellesley Planning: Large House Review Information
- Wellesley Planning: Demolition Review Bylaw Information (Article 46C)
- Town of Wellesley: Section 16E Tree Bylaw, rev. February 2021 (PDF)
- Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee: Do I Need a Wetland Permit?
- Wellesley Building Department
- Wellesley Planning Department
- Wellesley Building Department: Tree Bylaw Information
- Wellesley Planning: Accessory Dwelling Units
- Wellesley Zoning Bylaw Section 5.13, Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF)
- Wellesley Historic District Commission
- Wellesley Climate Action: Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code
- Wellesley Climate Action Office: Article 36 summary, ATM 2023 (PDF)
- Wellesley DPW: Sewer Service Connection Procedures and Specifications (PDF)
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.
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