Swampscott, MA
A seaside town on bedrock, with an Olmsted neighborhood.
Swampscott is small and nearly built out: Shingle Style summer houses by the water, the Olmsted District's curving streets, and mid-century homes inland. Thin soil over bedrock and beach flood zones shape what we build.
About 7 miles from our Danvers shop
Know before you build
What Swampscott reviews.
Swampscott relies on the state wetlands act, but its historic district and floodplain rules reach further than many towns'.
The Olmsted District
The Olmsted District and three other local historic districts review changes visible from a public way. Fences and retaining walls count as structures and need review. At-grade terraces, walks and driveways, and plantings, are excluded.
Source: Swampscott General Bylaws ↗Flood zone permits
In FEMA flood zones AE, AO and VE, the Floodplain Overlay District requires a town permit for all development, including fences, sheds and paving.
Source: Swampscott Zoning Bylaw ↗Wetlands
The Conservation Commission reviews work in wetlands and the 100-foot buffer under the state Wetlands Protection Act.
Source: Swampscott Conservation Commission ↗Sightlines
No wall, fence, hedge or shrub may be kept where it blocks drivers' view and endangers traffic.
Source: Swampscott Zoning Bylaw ↗
Building in Swampscott
Thin soil, steep slopes, a lot of ocean.
Swampscott's open space plan describes soils that are mostly shallow over bedrock, with outcrops common and steep slopes above Humphrey Street. The glacial till is very thin in most places.
The town's own planning names Phillips Park, Phillips Beach and Palmer Pond, Preston Beach and King's Beach as areas at risk from sea-level rise and storm surge. Near those, we build for water.
The Olmsted District's roughly 250 homes (Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Colonial Revival, Arts and Crafts) sit on lots Olmsted's firm laid out in 1888. Fences and walls there should suit the neighborhood's design.
Swampscott ground
How we build on bedrock by the sea.
What the thin soil and the coast ask of a project.
- Shallow bedrock
- Patios and walls often sit close to rock. We plan excavation around it.
- Steep slopes
- Retaining walls and steps make hillside yards usable, especially above Humphrey Street.
- Beach flood zones
- Near King's, Preston and Phillips Beaches, even paving needs a floodplain permit.
What we build here
Services in Swampscott.
Everything we offer in Swampscott.
Across Swampscott.
From the Olmsted District to Phillips Beach.
- Olmsted District
- Phillips Beach
- Little's Point
- Beach Bluff
- King's Beach
- Fisherman's Beach
- Galloupes Point
- Humphrey Street
I'm in the Olmsted District. Does my fence need review?
Yes, if it's visible from a public way. Fences and retaining walls count as structures. At-grade walks and patios don't need review.
Do I need a permit to pave near King's Beach?
If your property is in a FEMA AE, AO or VE flood zone, yes. The Floodplain Overlay District requires a permit for all development, including paving and fences.
Is there a local wetlands bylaw in Swampscott?
No separate one. The Conservation Commission works under the state Wetlands Protection Act, with a 100-foot buffer.
Where the local information on this page comes from
- Swampscott Conservation Commission
- Swampscott General Bylaws
- Swampscott Zoning Bylaw
- Swampscott: Olmsted Historic District
- Swampscott Historic District Commission
- Swampscott Open Space & Recreation Plan (2020)
Rules change. Always confirm with the town before starting work. We check for every project.
Let's talk about your Swampscott project.
Estimates are free. We'll call you back to set up a time to see the property.