Newton requires property owners to maintain defensible space around structures and remove dead brush under state fire code 527 CMR 1.00 and local property maintenance rules.
While Newton is not a designated wildland-urban interface community, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code 527 CMR 1.00 and Newton property maintenance ordinances require owners to keep dead vegetation, accumulated brush, and combustible debris cleared from around buildings and property lines. The city has significant tree canopy and conservation land including the Charles River reservation and Webster Conservation Area, where dry conditions during summer drought can elevate fire risk. Property owners must remove dead limbs overhanging structures, clear leaves from gutters and foundations, and maintain vegetation away from chimneys and outdoor grills. The Newton Fire Department may issue orders to abate fire hazards on noncompliant properties.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Newton, MA
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Newton, MA
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Newton, MA
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Newton, MA
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Newton, MA
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Newton, MA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle brush clearance.
See how Newton's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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