In Lowell's transit-oriented and mixed-use development overlays, chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and chicken wire are not permitted where visible from public streets or public parks. The Zoning Ordinance otherwise treats fences as accessory components expected to be of high quality.
The Lowell Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) imposes material standards on fencing in its overlay and special development districts. The development standards provide that chain link fence, barbed wire, razor wire, and chicken wire are not permitted where visible from public streets or public parks, and that accessory components and building systems - including porches, canopies, railings, gates, fences, garden walls, lighting, balconies, doors, and gutters - shall reinforce the overall building style and be of consistently high quality. In standard residential districts the Ordinance does not separately prohibit wood, vinyl, or metal fencing, so any material is generally allowed subject to the height, corner-clearance, and permit rules; the fence definition treats fences as distinct from buildings (a 'building' includes all parts of a structure above ground 'except fences and field or garden walls or embankment retaining walls').
Within the affected overlay/mixed-use districts, prohibited materials (chain link, barbed wire, razor wire, chicken wire) visible from a street or park can be cited as a zoning violation by Development Services, with denial or revocation of permits and an order to replace or remove the non-conforming material.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle material restrictions.
See how Lowell's material restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.