About 5 mi from our Waltham shop
Kitchen remodeling in Wellesley, MA
Wellesley kitchen remodels inside the house fall outside the town's demolition review, which exempts interior changes even in houses built before 1950.
Where that changes is the exterior. If a kitchen plan removes or covers up a large share of an older home's outside walls, for a bump-out or a wall of new windows, the town wants elevations and a calculation showing whether the 50% demolition line is crossed.
Houses on Cottage Street and in Wellesley's single-building historic districts add one more step: exterior changes such as new windows or a rear door need Historic District Commission approval before work starts.
Wellesley rules that apply
What Wellesley requires for kitchen remodeling.
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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)
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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.
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Questions
Kitchen remodeling in Wellesley, answered.
Will my Wellesley kitchen remodel go to the Historical Commission?
Not if the work is interior. Wellesley's demolition review exempts interior changes; it applies when half or more of a pre-1950 dwelling's exterior is removed or enveloped.
Kitchen remodeling near Wellesley.
Where this information comes from
- Wellesley Planning: Demolition Review Bylaw Information (Article 46C)
- Wellesley Historic District Commission
- Wellesley Building Department
- Wellesley Planning Department
- Wellesley Planning: Large House Review Information
- Wellesley Building Department: Tree Bylaw Information
- Town of Wellesley: Section 16E Tree Bylaw, rev. February 2021 (PDF)
- Wellesley Planning: Accessory Dwelling Units
- Wellesley Zoning Bylaw Section 5.13, Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF)
- 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?
- 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.
Free estimate
Planning kitchen remodeling 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