5 rules for unincorporated Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Where you store and screen trash carts is set by each town's board of health, not the county, under MGL c.111 §31, which lets local boards make reasonable health regulations. Carts left visible or overflowing can be cited as a health nuisance.
MGL c.111 §31
Boards of health may make reasonable health regulations.
Blighted and dangerous buildings are handled under MGL c.139 §1, which lets a community, after written notice and a hearing, declare a burnt, dilapidated, or dangerous structure a nuisance and order it repaired or removed. The abolished county has no role.
MGL c.139 §1
after written notice to the owner of a burnt, dilapidated or dangerous building or other structure, or his authorized agent, or to the owner of a vacant parcel of land, and after a hearing, make and record an order adjudging it to be a nuisance
Vacant parcels are reached directly by MGL c.139 §1, which names the owner of a vacant parcel of land alongside dangerous buildings. After written notice and a hearing, a community can adjudge the lot a nuisance and order it abated.
MGL c.139 §1
after written notice to the owner of a burnt, dilapidated or dangerous building or other structure, or his authorized agent, or to the owner of a vacant parcel of land, and after a hearing, make and record an order adjudging it to be a nuisance
Snow and ice clearing is set by each community under MGL c.85 §5, which lets cities by ordinance and towns by bylaw require abutting owners to clear sidewalks. State law caps the penalty at $50 in a city and $10 in a town per violation.
MGL c.85 §5
Cities by ordinance and towns by by-laws may provide for the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within such portions of the city or town as they consider expedient by the owner or occupant of land abutting upon such sidewalks. Such ordinances and by-laws shall determine the time and manner of removal and shall affix penalties, not exceeding fifty dollars in the case of a city or ten dollars...
Garage sale conduct is controlled by each community, not the county. Northampton, Amherst, and the surrounding towns take a light touch, enforcing mainly sign placement and cleanup so a sale does not leave curbside clutter or blight.
See every category we cover for Hampshire County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Hampshire County Ordinance Hub →