Weed Ordinances: Boston vs Revere
How do weed ordinances rules compare between Boston, MA and Revere, MA?
Boston and Revere have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
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.
View full Boston rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
Weed abatement in Suffolk County is enforced by each municipality's Board of Health and code enforcement. Boston aggressively pursues vacant lot violations under Boston Municipal Code §16-12 and the Problem Properties Ordinance.
View full Revere rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| Sidewalk | Owner maintains | - |
| State Ban List | MA Prohibited Plants | - |
| Hazard Removal | 30 days | - |
| Enforcer | ISD Environmental | - |
| Boston Authority | - | §16-12 + Problem Properties |
| Invasives | - | Knotweed, phragmites common |
| Vacant Lots | - | Must register (§9-1.3) |
| State Lien | - | MGL c. 111 §125 |
| Enforcement | - | ISD + Board of Health |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Revere FAQ
How do I report a weedy vacant lot in Boston?
File at boston.gov/311 or call 311. Reference the address — Boston Inspectional Services will open a case and issue notice to the registered owner. Chronic violators may be referred to the Problem Properties Task Force.
Is Japanese knotweed a reportable invasive in Massachusetts?
It's on the MA Prohibited Plant List (per MGL c. 128 §16-17), meaning sale, import, and propagation are prohibited. Existing infestations aren't mandatorily removed, but they can trigger weed-abatement notices if they create a nuisance.
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