Boston parks close at 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM under Boston Parks Commission rules. State-owned parks (Boston Common, Public Garden, Revere Beach, Boston Harbor Islands) have DCR hours. After-hours presence is trespassing.
Suffolk County parks are municipally or state-owned. Boston Parks Commission rules (governed by Boston Municipal Code §7-2) set closing hours at 11:30 PM for most municipal parks, reopening at 6:00 AM or dawn. Some parks with athletic lighting extend to 11 PM for scheduled activities. Boston Common and the Public Garden are owned and managed by the City but operated per Boston Parks rules. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages several major Suffolk County public spaces: Revere Beach Reservation (Revere), Boston Harbor Islands State Park (Winthrop, Boston), Castle Island (South Boston), Pope John Paul II Park, and Lynn Shore/Nahant Beach Reservation — DCR state parks typically close sunset to sunrise (MGL c. 132A §§1-20 and 302 CMR 12.00). Camping without DCR authorization is prohibited. Charlestown Navy Yard is federal (NPS Boston National Historical Park) with separate rules. Boston Common was the site of historic "No Curfew" protests but remains subject to the 11:30 PM closure. Police and Boston Park Rangers enforce; DCR State Police handle state parks.
Boston parks after-hours trespassing: $50-$300 citation under Boston Municipal Code §7-2.3. DCR state parks after-hours: $100-$500 civil citation under 302 CMR 12.07. Unauthorized camping: $200-$1,000 plus removal. Vandalism during closed hours: criminal charges under MGL c. 266 §126A.
Suffolk County, MA
Amplified music in Suffolk County is regulated at the city level. Boston requires Entertainment Licenses from the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs & Licens...
Suffolk County, MA
Driveway rules in Suffolk County are set by each city. Boston requires a curb-cut permit from the Public Improvement Commission, and blocking a Boston sidewa...
Suffolk County, MA
Massachusetts has a spite fence statute (MGL c.49 §21) but no shared fence cost law. Each owner is responsible for their own fence.
Suffolk County, MA
Massachusetts does not ban specific dog breeds statewide. Some municipalities have attempted BSL with mixed results. Dangerous dog provisions are behavior-ba...
Suffolk County, MA
Suffolk County requires dogs under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Dog licensing required through city/town clerk (MGL c.140 §155). Rabies vaccination...
Suffolk County, MA
MA prohibits intentional feeding of black bears (MGL c. 131, §75A) and regulates feeding of white-tailed deer. Boston Health Code §2-2.8 prohibits feeding of...
See how Suffolk County's park curfew rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.