How can some houses I see be allowed to be built on wetlands?

The approval of the Conservation Commission is not the only requirement for building in the Town of Rehoboth.  Their approval just relates to wetland resource areas.  All construction taking place within 100’ of a wetland or 200’ of a perennial stream, must first be permitted by the Conservation Commission.  The Commission will not issue a permit for construction of a house that is proposed within a wetland but may, it its discretion, issue a permit for a house that is only several feet from a wetland.  This can easily look as if the house is within a wetland resource area.

If a lot has the required “upland” or dry area and meets the minimum setbacks, the property owner is allowed to build.  Sometimes variances are required to allow a reduction of these setbacks.  These concerns are handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Zoning Enforcement Officer.  Once all of these concerns have been satisfied, the Building Department will issue a building permit and the work is allowed to proceed.