Lowell allows a fence up to six feet in height on or near a lot line with no building permit; a fence over six feet requires a building permit. Within the corner-clearance triangle at intersecting streets, no fence may exceed three and one-half feet in height.
The City of Lowell Development Services Office states that a fence up to six feet in height may be located on or close to a lot line with no building permit required, while a fence over six feet in height requires a building permit. Height near street corners is further restricted by the Zoning Ordinance. Section 5.2.8 (Corner Clearance) of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) provides that, in all districts, within the triangle formed by the lines of intersecting streets and a line joining points fifteen feet from their point of intersection, no building, structure, or fence may be erected and no vegetation may be maintained above a height of three and one-half feet above the plane through their curb grades. Section 5.1.6 (Yards) confirms that fences (along with awnings, arbors, flagpoles, and similar objects) are not considered obstructions of a required yard, so a conforming fence may be placed within required side and rear yard areas.
Construction of a fence over six feet without the required building permit, or a fence violating the corner-clearance triangle, is enforced by the Development Services / Inspectional Services Department. Remedies include a stop-work order, denial of permit, and an order to lower or remove the non-compliant fence, plus penalties under the City's zoning enforcement provisions.
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Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
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