Landscaping Rules in Norfolk County, MA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Norfolk County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Tree removal in Norfolk County is governed by state law (MGL c. 87 for public trees) and municipal bylaws. Public shade trees require a Tree Warden permit. Many Norfolk County towns also require permits to remove large private trees.

Norfolk County Tree Removal Regulations

Some Restrictions

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 131, § 40 (Wetlands Protection Act — Restrictions on Removing or Altering Lands Bordering Waters) (Massachusetts General Laws; applies to all cities/towns within the county)

Section 40. No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any bank, riverfront area, fresh water wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh, meadow or swamp bordering on the ocean or on any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond, or lake, or any land under said waters or any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding, other than in the course of maintaining, repairing...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Norfolk County does not enforce weed abatement. Individual municipalities enforce property maintenance under MGL c. 111 §122 (nuisance) and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) for rental property.

landscaping/weed-ordinances

Some Restrictions

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List - MA Department of Agricultural Resources

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List. 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 agen...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

Norfolk County has no native plant rule. MA Pollinator Plan and Stretch Code encourage natives. Brookline and Quincy offer climate-resilient landscape guidance. MA prohibits sale of listed invasive species.

landscaping/native-plants

Few Restrictions

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List - MA Department of Agricultural Resources

Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List. 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 agen...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Landscaping Rules by City in Norfolk County

2 cities in Norfolk County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

QuincyPop. 101,636

2 verified rules • Tree Removal & Heritage Trees, Weed Ordinances

WeymouthPop. 57,746

1 verified rule • Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

All Norfolk County ordinances

See every category we cover for Norfolk County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Norfolk County Ordinance Hub →