Norfolk County has coastal frontage in Quincy, Weymouth, and Cohasset. Coastal development is regulated by MA Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Wetlands Protection Act, and Chapter 91 (tidelands law) β not by the county.
Coastal development in Norfolk County applies to Quincy (Wollaston Beach, Squantum, Hough's Neck), Weymouth (Wessagusset, Great Hill), and Cohasset (full coastal frontage). The county does not regulate. Key authorities: (1) MA Coastal Zone Management under MGL c. 21A Β§4A β consistency review for federal actions. (2) Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131 Β§40) β 100 ft buffer from coastal banks, beaches, dunes, and salt marshes via Conservation Commission. (3) Chapter 91 Public Waterfront Act (MGL c. 91, 310 CMR 9.00) β licensing for structures on tidelands and filled tidelands. (4) Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review for larger projects. (5) ASCE 24 / 780 CMR Appendix G flood-resistant construction. Sea level rise guidance through CZM's SLR-CFRM Viewer. Public beach access protected under Colonial Ordinance of 1641-1647 (low-water mark public trust).
No county enforcement. Wetlands violations: up to $25,000. Chapter 91 unlicensed structure: removal order, $50,000+ fines. Public access obstruction: daily MA AG enforcement.
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate amplified music. Each municipality requires entertainment licenses or one-day amplified sound permits under MGL c. 140 Β§183A...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not handle abandoned vehicles. MGL c. 90B Β§2 allows police to remove abandoned vehicles after 72 hours. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth t...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restric...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham follows the Massachusetts state framework for residential fire pits: cooking-only fire pits and grills are exempt from open-burning rules, but any...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham allows residential open burning only during the Massachusetts state burn season β January 15 through May 1 β with a daily permit from the Bellingh...
Norfolk County, MA
Brookline enacted the first MA town-wide ban on new artificial turf on town property (2023 Town Meeting Art. 14). Other Norfolk County towns allow turf resid...
See how Bellingham's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.