Lowell building heights range from 35 feet in single-family districts up to 70 feet in downtown and industrial zones, with chimneys and church spires exempt.
The Lowell zoning code sets maximum structure heights by district. Single-family zones generally cap height at 35 feet or 2.5 stories. Two-family and urban multifamily districts allow up to 40 feet. Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) and Regional Mixed Use districts allow 60 to 70 feet, and the Hamilton Canal Innovation District allows taller buildings by special permit. Chimneys, church spires, elevator bulkheads, and mechanical penthouses are typically exempt up to 10 feet above the limit. Accessory structures like sheds are capped at 15 feet. Any height variance requires Zoning Board of Appeals approval, and projects near historic districts also need Historic Board review.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
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 Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
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