HomeMy Public PortalAboutResidential Driveway RegulationsDRIVEWAY
PERMITTING PROCESS
Re -paving of an existing
driveway requires a permit from
the Department of Public Works
(DPW) by a bonded contractor
prior to commencement of work.
Extension/expansion of an
existing driveway or any new
driveway requires approval by
the Zoning Enforcement Office
prior to the issuance of the permit
from DPW.
Inspections. Final Inspections
of the public way are required by
DPW for repaving, modifications,
and new driveways. Final
Inspections are also required for
extensions or new driveways by
the Zoning Enforcement Office.
Trees. The removal, relocation,
or pruning of any public trees to
accommodate a new or
expanded driveway require
clearance by the Tree Warden
prior to commencement of any
work.
Enforcement. It is important to
ensure all clearances and
permits are approved/issued prior
to any construction activity in
order to avoid fines/penalties.
DRIVEWAY
DIMENSIONAL
REGULATIONS §6.02
Minimum size of a parking space
is 81/2' wide x 18' long for
each car.
Maximum of two 11' curb cuts per
site, with a minimum distance
of 20' between curb cuts. The
Maximum curb cut or
combination of curb cuts is
22' or 40% of the lot frontage,
whichever is less.
No area of the building front
yard shall be used for
parking or driveway area. The
Building Front Yard is the
boxed area located between
the front of the house, the front
lot line and each side of the
house.
4' landscaped buffer between
the edge of the driveway and
the side lot line is required.
10' landscaped buffer between
the end/edge of the driveway
and the rear lot line is
required.
5' setback from the front lot line,
before the first parking space,
is required.
Examples of typical driveway layouts
are provided on the back pages of this
brochure.
REDUCING
IMPERVIOUS
SURFACES
Impervious lot coverage also applies.
Maximum impervious coverage in the
S-6, SC, & T Districts is 85% and a
maximum of 80% in the S-10 Zoning
District.
Find out what zoning district your
property is located in, by going to
www.mapsonline.net/watertown
Watertown strongly encourages
minimizing the amount of impervious
surfaces to prevent pollutants from
reaching our rivers and creeks,.
Driveways constructed of permeable
pavers, grasscrete and the like are
ways of providing for a new driveway
while still being environmentally
friendly.
Below are some additional resources
which provide alternatives to the con-
crete, impervious driveway:
Low Impact Development Center
www.lowimpactdevelopment.org
Storm water Manager's Resource
Center www.stormwatercenter.net
LID Urban Design Tools
www.lid-stormwater.net
National Association of Home
Builders www.toolbase.org/index-
toolbase.asp
Example of Corner Lot driveway
located at the rear of the property.
KAAA
Department of Community
Development and Planning
Example of
Extension of Existin -I
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Example of
New Second Driveway
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TOWN OF WATERTOWN
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
Residential
Driveway
Regulations
Zoning Enforcement Office
149 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Watertown, MA
Telephone: 617-972-6427
Facsimile: 617-926-7778
www.watertown-ma.gov