Environmental Rules in Lawrence, MA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Lawrence, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Lawrence bans dumping any pollutant or non-stormwater discharge into its municipal storm sewer system, watercourses, or the waters of the commonwealth under City Code Chapter 20.01. The board of health, the chapter's enforcing authority, can fine violators up to $300 a day and order cleanup of illicit connections and spills.
Lawrence Stormwater Discharge and Drainage Rules
Significant RestrictionsLawrence, MA Municipal Code §§ 20.01.010, 20.01.060(A)
The purposes of this chapter are to protect, maintain, and enhance the environment of the city and the public health, safety and the general welfare of the city's residents, by controlling discharges of pollutants to the city's stormwater system and maintaining and improving the quality of the receiving waters into which the stormwater outfalls flow, including, without limitation, lakes, rivers...
Erosion Control
Any construction project in Lawrence that disturbs more than one acre, or 5,000 square feet in higher-pollutant or combined-sewer areas, must get a stormwater management permit from the board of health before breaking ground. Erosion and sediment control on site must follow Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook Standards 2, 4, 8, and 9 under City Code Chapter 20.03.
Lawrence Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Municipal Code §§ 20.03.020, 20.03.090 (Stormwater Management and Erosion Control)
Unless exempt under section 20.03.050 below, all activities under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be required to obtain a stormwater management permit from the board of health prior to beginning any site work. ... Criteria for erosion and sediment control and post-construction stormwater management, including stormwater performance standards, shall be in accordance with standards 2, 4, 8...
Flood Zones
Lawrence's floodplain district covers all FEMA-mapped zone A and AE areas on the Essex County FIRM, and a development permit is required before any construction begins within those zones, layered on top of state building and wetlands rules.
Lawrence Floodplain District Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances §§15.32.010, 15.32.020
The floodplain district includes all special flood hazard areas within the City of Lawrence designated as zone A or AE on the Essex County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program... A.A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within zone A, A1-30.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Lawrence's zone A and AE floodplain areas, new residential construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor, including the basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation before a permit can issue.
Lawrence Base Flood Elevation Standard
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances §15.32.040(A)-(B)
A.Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structures shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.B.Nonresidential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of nonresidential structures shall be constructed in accordance with subsection A. of this section, or, together with atten...