About 5 mi from our Waltham shop

New construction in Arlington, MA

New homes in Arlington must be fossil-fuel-free, need a tree plan, mailed neighbor notice and stormwater approval, and may wait 12 months on demolition.

Get a new home estimate Call 617-934-1875

A teardown in Arlington starts with the inventory. If the Historical Commission finds the house preferably preserved, the demolition permit waits at least twelve months from the application. Then come the tree plan, filed with the Tree Warden before or with the demolition permit, and the first-class mail notice to abutters and occupants within 200 feet.

The new house can't have gas or oil piping under the fossil-fuel-free bylaw, and the stormwater bylaw applies once 350 square feet of new impervious surface is involved, which every new house exceeds. During construction the site-control rules apply: neat site, waste secured daily, dumpsters emptied or swapped every 30 days.

Arlington rules that apply

1
Demolition delay for inventoried buildings
If the Historical Commission finds a building on its inventory or the National Register preferably preserved, no demolition permit can issue until twelve months after the application. Removing or covering more than 25% of any front or side elevation counts as demolition.
Source: By-Laws of the Town of Arlington, through 2025 Annual Town Meeting (PDF)
2
Residential construction site control
On demolition, excavation, new construction and large addition jobs, the contractor must keep the site neat, secure waste daily and clean or remove dumpsters at least every 30 days. Portable toilets must stay off the public way and at least ten feet from neighboring homes.
Source: By-Laws of the Town of Arlington, through 2025 Annual Town Meeting (PDF)
3
Stormwater permit at 350 square feet
Arlington's stormwater bylaw applies to any development or land alteration that adds 350 square feet or more of impervious surface. The Engineering Division administers it, and projects can't be split into phases to avoid it.
Source: By-Laws of the Town of Arlington, through 2025 Annual Town Meeting (PDF)
4
Tree plan for demolition or footprint growth
Demolishing a structure, or building on a developed lot so the total footprint grows 50% or more, requires a Tree Plan filed with the Tree Warden before or with the building permit. Healthy private trees of 6 inches DBH or more in the setback area are protected, and removals are paid into the Tree Fund.
Source: By-Laws of the Town of Arlington, through 2025 Annual Town Meeting (PDF)

About our new construction →

Questions

New construction in Arlington, answered.

What has to happen before an Arlington teardown starts?

Historical Commission review if the house is inventoried, a Tree Plan to the Tree Warden, and mailed notice to everyone within 200 feet at least seven days before site work.

Our new construction work.

See all 2 photos →

Photos from our jobs around Greater Boston.

More of our work in Arlington.

New construction near Arlington.

Where this information comes from

Rules change. These are summaries of Arlington'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 new construction in Arlington?

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