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Iron work in Wellesley, MA

Iron stairs and railings in Wellesley can meet zoning: the ADU rules say an outside stair to an accessory unit must not be visible from a public way.

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For an ordinary front-step railing or porch rail, the question is usually style rather than permits. In the Cottage Street Historic District and the single-building districts, though, exterior features go to the Historic District Commission first.

Fences and gates near Wellesley's wetlands, brooks and ponds are another case. Setting posts or regrading inside the 100-foot buffer can need a permit, and the 25 feet closest to the resource area is a no-disturbance zone.

Wellesley rules that apply

1
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?
2
Cottage Street and single-building historic districts
Wellesley's Historic District Commission reviews exterior alterations for the 65 properties in the Cottage Street Historic District and five Single Building Historic Districts. A certificate is needed before work on those exteriors begins.
Source: Wellesley Historic District Commission
3
ADU design rules
Under Section 5.13 an accessory dwelling unit must match the main house's style, cannot raise its height, and cannot have its exterior door on an elevation facing a street. Exterior stairs must not be visible from a public way, and a notice of the ADU is recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
Source: Wellesley Zoning Bylaw Section 5.13, Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF)

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Questions

Iron work in Wellesley, answered.

Can an iron exterior stair serve a Wellesley ADU?

Yes, if it is not visible from a public way and is designed to complement the main house, as Section 5.13 of the zoning bylaw requires.

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Where this information comes from

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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