About 5 mi from our Waltham shop
New construction in Lexington, MA
A new home in Lexington must be all-electric under the 2024 bylaw, fit the tighter new-home floor-area table, and may wait up to 21 months on demolition.
Rebuilding in Lexington starts with the house that's there. If it is on the Cultural Resources Inventory or the National Register, the Historical Commission can impose a demolition delay of 21 months, cut to 12 with an approved site plan review. That needs to be known before the design budget is spent.
The new house then has to fit the new-home gross floor area table, which is tighter than the one for houses built before January 1, 2024, and the height rule of 40 feet or 20 feet plus 4/3 of the distance to the nearest lot line, whichever is less. It must have no new fossil fuel piping unless a waiver is granted, the Specialized Energy Code applies, and protected trees in the setbacks need a removal permit, mitigation and an arborist's protection plan before excavation.
Lexington rules that apply
What Lexington requires for new construction.
- 1
Residential gross floor area cap
The total gross floor area of all buildings on a one- or two-family lot can't exceed a limit set by lot area. New homes use one table and homes built before January 1, 2024 use a more generous one, and the count includes garages, porches, half stories and basements with 6'8" ceilings.
Source: Lexington Building Dept.: Zoning By-Laws to Consider for Residential Construction (PDF)
- 2
Demolition delay for significant buildings
Buildings on the National Register, in the town's Cultural Resources Inventory, or found significant by the Historical Commission face a demolition delay of 21 months, or 12 months with an approved site plan review. The application goes through the town's OpenGov portal along with an abutters list request.
- 3
Tree bylaw on major construction
On lots undergoing demolition or major construction, trees 6 inches DBH or larger in the front (30 ft) and side and rear (15 ft) setbacks are protected. Removing them requires a Tree Removal and Mitigation Permit and replanting or a per-inch payment, and kept trees need a certified arborist's protection plan before any site work.
Source: Lexington Tree Committee: Tree Bylaw Rules & Regulations Quick Start Guide
- 4
Fossil-fuel-free bylaw
Since March 21, 2024, Lexington issues no building permits for new construction or major renovation that installs new on-site fossil fuel infrastructure. Major renovation covers gut jobs over 50% of the home and residential additions over 1,000 square feet, with waivers possible from the Building Commissioner.
Source: Town of Lexington: Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program
Our new construction work.
See all 2 photos →
Photos from our jobs around Greater Boston.
Questions
New construction in Lexington, answered.
Can a new Lexington house have a gas fireplace or generator?
A generator, yes: piping for backup generators and outdoor cooking or fire features is exempt. An indoor gas fireplace in a new house falls under the bylaw and would need a waiver.
New construction near Lexington.
Where this information comes from
- Lexington Building Dept.: Zoning By-Laws to Consider for Residential Construction (PDF)
- Lexington Historical Commission: Demolition Delay
- Lexington Tree Committee: Tree Bylaw Rules & Regulations Quick Start Guide
- Town of Lexington: Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Program
- Town of Lexington: Building Office
- Lexington: Gross Floor Area Calculation worksheet, new construction (PDF)
- Lexington Building and Zoning: Proposed Plot Plan Requirements (PDF)
- Lexington: Fence and Retaining Wall Regulations (PDF)
- Lexington: Review standard for basements near seasonal high groundwater (PDF)
- Lexington Historic Districts Commission: Design Review Guidelines, 2019 (PDF)
- Town of Lexington: Current Neighborhood Conservation Districts
- Town of Lexington: Buildings & Development (energy codes)
- Town of Lexington: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Lexington Conservation Commission: Wetland Protection Code Rules, amended 2021 (PDF)
- Harvard Magazine: The Modern Revolution (2015)
Rules change. These are summaries of Lexington'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 Lexington?
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