Massachusetts has a spite fence statute (MGL c.49 §21) but no shared fence cost law. Each owner is responsible for their own fence.
Massachusetts has no statutory fence cost-sharing requirement. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. MA’s spite fence law (MGL c.49 §21) makes fences over 6 feet erected maliciously to annoy neighbors a private nuisance, actionable in court. The historical perambulation of bounds (MGL c.42 §2) still exists for town boundaries. Property line disputes resolved through surveys and court. Disputes under $7,000 can go to small claims.
Spite fence: civil action for damages + injunction (MGL c.49 §21). Property line encroachment: civil suit. Small claims for disputes under $7,000.
Chelsea, MA
Construction noise regulated under Chelsea Code Ch. 16 and MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10. Standard hours are Mon–Fri 7 AM–6 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM; no construction on Sund...
Chelsea, MA
Barking dogs addressed under Chelsea Code Ch. 4 (Animals) and general nuisance provisions. Excessive barking is a civil nuisance complaint under MGL c. 140. ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea enforces noise complaints through Chapter 16 (Miscellaneous Offenses). No single statewide decibel limit applies; the city relies on MassDEP 310 CMR ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea is in the flight path of Boston Logan International Airport (about 1 mile west). Aircraft noise is governed by federal FAA regulations and Massport; ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea has a citywide residential parking sticker program under Code §13-4.2. The Chelsea Waterfront District requires sticker parking 8 AM–6 PM Mon–Fri. St...
Chelsea, MA
Abandoned vehicles on public ways subject to state law MGL c. 90 §22C (72-hour threshold). Chelsea enforces through its ISD and Police Department. Inoperable...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Suffolk County.
See how other cities in Suffolk County handle neighbor fence rules.
See how Chelsea's neighbor fence rules rules stack up against other locations.
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