Lowell, MA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Wildfire zone
- Not a WUI jurisdiction
- Required
- Remove combustible debris
- Enforcer
- Inspectional Services
- Remedy
- City cleanup with lien
- Firewood storage
- Away from structures
Summary
Lowell property owners must keep yards and lots free of dead brush, tall grass, and fire hazards under the city nuisance ordinance and state fire code, though there are no wildland-urban interface clearance distances because Lowell is fully urbanized.
No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in the open air at any time except by permission, covering a period not exceeding two days from the date thereof, granted by the forest warden or chief of the fire department in cities and towns, or, in cities having such an official, the fire commissioner; provided, that if such permission is not in writing, a written record of the granting thereof, setting forth the date upon which permission was granted, the dates covered by such permission, the name and address of the person to whom, and the manner in which, such permission was granted, and any other necessary information relative thereto, shall be made and kept by the forest warden, chief or fire commissioner, as the case may be, and shall be open to public inspectio
Full Breakdown
Lowell is a densely built mill city and is not located in a designated wildland-urban interface zone, so there are no mandatory defensible-space clearance distances like those in western states. However, property owners are required under the Lowell Code of Ordinances and Massachusetts General Laws to maintain their lots free of conditions that pose fire or health hazards. This includes cutting dead tree limbs, removing piles of dry brush, and keeping grass and weeds from overgrowing. The Department of Inspectional Services and the Health Department can order cleanup of vacant lots, overgrown yards, and accumulated combustible debris. If an owner fails to comply, the city may perform cleanup and place a lien on the property for costs. Storage of firewood must be away from structures and organized to discourage pest harborage. Around the Merrimack River greenbelt and conservation parcels, native vegetation management is coordinated with the Conservation Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lowell require defensible space clearance?
Who enforces brush removal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lowell
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Brush Clearance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle brush clearance.