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Westford, Massachusetts: what can you build or do?

Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from Westford's published bylaws, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.

Last reviewed 2026-10-19

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  Yes. In Westford's residential districts (RA and RB) one Protected Use ADU, attached or detached and no larger than 900 sq ft or half the main house's floor area (whichever is smaller), is allowed by right. A larger Local ADU of over 900 up to 1,250 sq ft needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, plus an owner-occupancy affidavit. These rules come from the certified zoning bylaw the town posted in April 2026.Allowed
• Backyard Chickens
  Probably yes, but zoning doesn't say. Westford's Board of Health rules assume residents may keep poultry and regulate it only as a nuisance (no odors, pests, runoff or noise, and no birds whose crowing disturbs anyone, which effectively rules out a noisy rooster), and the town asks owners to notify Animal Control. The zoning bylaw has no backyard-hen rule for lots of five acres or less, so 'allowed' is our reading; ask the Building Commissioner if you want certainty.Allowed
• Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb / VRBO)
  Restricted. Westford's zoning bylaw allows short-term rentals (27 days or less) by right only in the 276 Summer Village cottages on Long Sought For Pond, and by special permit only as an accessory use to a commercial recreation business in the Commercial Recreation Overlay. Elsewhere, our reading is that STRs are not allowed, because the bylaw prohibits any use it doesn't expressly permit; an owner-occupant may, however, rent rooms to up to five people.Restricted
• Fences
  Yes. Westford's zoning bylaw exempts fences up to 6 feet tall from setbacks, so they can go up to the property line; on a corner lot nothing may block drivers' view of the intersection. The Building Department's checklist for fences of 6+ feet calls for a building permit application with a structural plan and a setback check, while the state code exempts fences up to 7 feet from a building permit, so confirm with the Building Department; town materials don't say whether a shorter fence needs a permit.Allowed
• Sheds & Accessory Buildings
  A shed of 120 sq ft or less needs no building permit in Westford but must sit at least 10 feet from side and rear lot lines and out of the required front yard. A bigger shed needs a building permit and a plot plan and must meet the full district setbacks (15 ft side and 30 ft rear in Residence A and B).Allowed
• Burn Permits & Backyard Fires
  Brush and yard-debris burning in Westford is allowed only from January 15 to May 1, with a burning permit from the Westford Fire Department. When we checked the Fire Department's page in October 2026, it said "Residential Open Air Burning Is Not Permitted At This Time"; the page doesn't say whether that is a seasonal notice or a longer suspension, so check before you plan a burn. The town sources we found have no rule on backyard fire pits.Allowed with a permit
• Home-Based Businesses
  Yes. In Westford's Residence A and B districts a professional office, or a small home business with no non-resident employees and no customer visits (one pupil at a time for lessons), is allowed by right if registered with the Town Clerk. A home business with one outside employee or client traffic needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.Allowed
• Swimming Pools
  Yes, with a building permit from the Building Department for both in-ground and above-ground pools. Westford treats pools as accessory structures that must meet zoning setbacks (15 ft side and 30 ft rear in Residence A and B), stay 10 ft from other structures, and keep clear of septic components; a safety fence is required.Allowed with a permit
• Building Near the Water (Wetlands Rules)
  Any work within 100 feet of a pond, lake, stream or wetland in Westford needs Conservation Commission approval under the town wetlands bylaw, and the Commission also reviews work within 200 feet of a perennial stream. Its regulations set minimum setbacks from the wetland edge: on a lot with a house, work on lawn, landscaped or paved areas stays 30 feet back and buildings 55 feet; in natural areas of a developed lot or on an undeveloped lot it's 50 feet for work and 75 feet for buildings.Allowed with board review
• Docks, Piers & Floats
  Possibly, with Conservation Commission approval. Westford's wetlands regulations allow water-dependent structures such as docks and piers inside the normal wetland setbacks if alterations are kept to a minimum, and any work on or within 100 feet of a pond or lake needs a Commission permit. We found no town bylaw setting dock sizes or designs; state licensing may also apply.Allowed with board review