Shed permit rules in Lowell, MA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Sheds in Lowell generally require a building permit if over 120 square feet under the Massachusetts State Building Code. Smaller sheds are permit-exempt but must still meet zoning setbacks and may need historic review in designated districts.
The Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds from a building permit when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. In Lowell this means a small 10 by 12 foot shed or smaller can be placed without a building permit, though the Lowell Zoning Ordinance still requires compliance with side and rear setbacks (typically 5 to 10 feet depending on zone), lot coverage limits, and location behind the front plane of the main house. Sheds over 120 square feet require a full building permit from Inspectional Services with plans showing foundation, framing, and wind and snow load compliance. Electrical or plumbing in any shed requires separate permits. Properties in the Downtown, Acre, Lower Belvidere, or other historic districts need Lowell Historic Board approval for any visible new shed. Sheds in wetland buffer zones require Conservation Commission review.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Lowell, MA
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell enforces nighttime quiet hours that restrict unreasonable noise in residential areas, authorized under MGL c.40 s.21 and enforced by Lowell Police and...
Lowell, MA
Amplified music from homes, vehicles, or outdoor events in Lowell must not be plainly audible beyond 50 feet and is subject to permit rules for public venues.
Lowell, MA
Industrial operations in Lowell must keep noise within Massachusetts DEP guidelines and the local ordinance, with stricter limits at residential property lines.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle shed rules.
See how Lowell's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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