Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from Wayland's published bylaws, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.
Last reviewed
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Yes. Under the zoning amendment adopted in April 2025, one accessory dwelling unit per lot is allowed by right in the Single Residence District with a building permit. It can be no larger than half the main house's gross floor area or 900 sq ft, whichever is less, and it needs Board of Health septic approval and one off-street parking space.Allowed with a permit
Backyard Chickens Yes, with an annual Board of Health animal-keeping permit. Lots under 1 acre may keep up to 6 chickens and lots of 1 acre or more up to 12. Roosters are not allowed, and the flock must be kept at least 150 feet from a neighbor's house and 25 feet from property and street lines.Allowed with a permit
Fences Fences under 7 feet tall don't need a building permit in Wayland, and fences 6 feet or shorter are exempt from zoning setbacks, so they can go near the lot line. Keep the fence a reasonable distance inside your property line, and on corner lots follow the traffic-visibility rule in §198-702.4.Allowed
Sheds & Accessory Buildings Wayland's Building Department says every shed needs a building permit, whatever its size, with a minimum $100 fee for a residential shed. A shed may go in the rear yard 10 feet or more from the property line; anywhere else it has to meet your zone's regular setbacks (30 feet front and rear, and 15 to 30 feet on the sides depending on the zone).Allowed with a permit
Burn Permits & Backyard Fires Brush burning is allowed only during open burning season, January 15 to May 1, with a free permit from the Wayland Fire Department. You also have to activate the permit by phone each day you burn, and the Fire Chief can deny burning on any day because of weather.Allowed with a permit
Swimming Pools Yes. A swimming pool is an allowed accessory use in the Single Residence District with a building permit, and every pool needs a barrier: Wayland requires a fence at least 5 feet tall, and a safety cover doesn't count. Pool setbacks follow the accessory-structure rules in §198-703.1.Allowed with a permit
Building Near the Water (Wetlands Rules) Building, clearing, filling or other changes within 100 feet of a wetland, pond or stream, or within 200 feet of a perennial stream, need a permit from the Wayland Conservation Commission under the town's wetlands bylaw (Chapter 194). The Commission generally won't allow new construction within the first 100 feet of a perennial stream, and it requires an unmowed vegetated strip next to wetlands: 15 feet for additions and 30 feet for new homes.Allowed with board review
Docks, Piers & Floats A dock or pier counts as "altering" a resource area under Wayland's wetlands bylaw (Chapter 194), so you need a Conservation Commission permit before you install one. The local sources we reviewed set no size limits for docks.Allowed with board review
We couldn't download Wayland's bylaw text for the other 2 topics yet, so we don't cover them rather than guess.
Sources and contacts
Code enforcement: Building Department (Building Commissioner / Zoning Enforcement), (508) 358-3600 · website