Lowell permits licensed marijuana establishments in designated zoning districts with a Host Community Agreement, buffer from schools, and Cannabis Control Commission approval.
Cannabis retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and testing establishments in Lowell require both a state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) license under MGL c.94G and local approval. Lowell zoning restricts dispensaries to specific commercial and industrial districts and requires a special permit from the City Council or Zoning Board. State law imposes a minimum 500-foot buffer from K-12 schools (which cities may reduce). Applicants must sign a Host Community Agreement (HCA) per MGL c.94G s.3(d); under 2022 amendments (Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022), community impact fees are capped at 3 percent of gross sales for up to 8 years and must be tied to documented impacts. Public comment and a community outreach meeting are required before the CCC will issue a final license.
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 dispensary zoning.
See how Lowell's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.