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Select Board posts changes to Land Use Ordinance affecting small structures and setbacks
Summary
The Select Board recorded recent changes to the town’s Land Use Ordinance: permits are no longer required for structures under 200 sq ft, but setback, coverage and screening rules still apply; building coverage and impermeable surface limits are specified.
At its May 7, 2026 meeting the Town of Washington Select Board recorded changes to the town Land Use Ordinance (LUO) approved by town vote March 10, 2026 and posted the updated LUO on the town website.
The minutes note that building permits are no longer required for structures under 200 square feet (LUO Section 501.1) but emphasize that all other LUO requirements remain in force for those structures, including setback and coverage limitations. The board summarized setback requirements for non‑business uses over 100 square feet (front 30 ft, side 30 ft, rear 40 ft, shoreline 50 ft, wetlands 50 ft per LUO Section 202) and smaller setbacks for structures under 100 square feet (front 0 ft provided the structure is not within the right‑of‑way; side 5 ft; rear 5 ft; shoreline 20 ft and wetlands 20 ft with natural screening as viewed from the water).
The minutes also record LUO Section 201.5 limits: building coverage shall not exceed 10% of a lot and total impermeable coverage (including building area) shall not exceed 20% of the lot. Temporary structures (erected for 180 days or less) and specified non‑permanent storage structures do not require permits under Section 501, but must meet setbacks and coverage limits. The Select Board minutes point residents to a construction checklist for sub‑200 sq ft structures on the town website and advise contacting the Select Board with questions to avoid noncompliance.
