Landscaping Rules in Plymouth County, MA (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trimming trees on your own land needs no permit anywhere in Plymouth County. But public shade trees along a road or town way cannot be cut or trimmed without the tree warden's written permit, under MGL c.87 §3.
Plymouth County Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsMGL c.87 §3
Except as provided by section five, public shade trees shall not be cut, trimmed or removed, in whole or in part, by any person other than the tree warden or his deputy, even if he be the owner of the fee in the land on which such tree is situated, except upon a permit in writing from said tree warden, nor shall they be cut down or removed by the tree warden or his deputy or other person withou...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
You may remove trees on your own land in Plymouth County without a county permit. But no public shade tree in or beside a road may be removed without a tree warden's public hearing and written consent, under MGL c.87 §3.
Plymouth County Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsMGL c.87 §3
Except as provided by section five, public shade trees shall not be cut, trimmed or removed, in whole or in part, by any person other than the tree warden or his deputy, even if he be the owner of the fee in the land on which such tree is situated, except upon a permit in writing from said tree warden, nor shall they be cut down or removed by the tree warden or his deputy or other person withou...
Water Restrictions
Plymouth County runs no water system. Outdoor watering limits come from each town or district's Water Management Act permit under MGL c.21G, which conditions large withdrawals and triggers nonessential-use bans during declared drought.
Plymouth County Water Restrictions & Landscape Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsMGL c.21G §2
"Withdrawal", the removal or taking of water from a water source; provided, however, that all removals or takings of water from a particular water source which are made or controlled by a single person shall be deemed to be a single withdrawal of water.
Artificial Turf
No Plymouth County ordinance governs artificial turf, and towns rarely restrict it on ordinary lots. But installing turf near a marsh, bog, pond, or coastal bank triggers Wetlands Protection Act review under MGL c.131 §40.
Plymouth County Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsMGL c.131 §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... without filing written notice of his intention to so remove,...
Landscaping Rules by City in Plymouth County
1 cities in Plymouth County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Plymouth County ordinances
See every category we cover for Plymouth County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Plymouth County Ordinance Hub →