Landscaping Rules in Boston, MA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Boston Code § 7-4.7(D) puts the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in charge of trimming shade trees standing in the street so they don't interfere with public travel or street lighting, and of enforcing the tree-protection ordinances.
Boston Street Tree Trimming for Clearance
Light RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 7-4.7(D)
The Commissioner of Parks and Recreation shall have the care and superintendence of all trees, plants and shrubs belonging to the city; shall trim all shade trees standing in the street so that they shall not interfere with public travel; shall carry out all orders of the Commissioner of Public Works made after public notice and hearing to remove trees standing in the street; shall, upon reques...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No one may cut, trim, or remove a public shade tree in Boston without written approval from the city's Tree Warden, per Code of Ordinances § 7-4.7(F). Healthy trees removed with permission must be replaced near the original site, or the property owner pays a $550-per-caliper-inch replacement fee to the Parks and Recreation Department's tree fund.
Boston Public Shade Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 7-4.7(F)
(F) Protection of public shade trees. No public shade tree shall be cut, trimmed or removed unless the removal is approved in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 87 and this Subsection. (1) Any person wishing to remove a public shade tree shall first submit a written request in the manner prescribed by the Department and obtain written approval, from the Tree Warden in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter...
Weed Ordinances
Boston property owners must remove rank weeds, invasive vegetation, and sidewalk weeds under City Code Ch. 16. Noxious weeds on the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List cannot be planted.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsMassachusetts Prohibited Plant List — Statewide Plant Prohibitions
Following is a list of plants, including all cultivars, varieties and hybrids, for which the sale, import, trade, purchase, distribution, propagation, and related activities are currently prohibited within the state of Massachusetts: prohibitedplantlistMay2026.csv [...] When a species is added to the Prohibited Plant List, nursery agents/growers may no longer receive or begin propagation of tho...
Native Plants
Boston encourages native plantings through Article 37 green building standards and the Grow Boston Greener program. No ordinance mandates native plants on private lots.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts Prohibited Plant List — Phase-out Periods (May 2026)
Following is a list of plants, including all cultivars, varieties and hybrids, for which the sale, import, trade, purchase, distribution, propagation, and related activities are currently prohibited within the state of Massachusetts [...] *Phase-out period for newly listed prohibited species: When a species is added to the Prohibited Plant List, nursery agents/growers may no longer receive or b...