Moving to Revere, MA?

Revere is adjacent to Boston Logan International Airport (directly across the harbor). Aircraft noise is governed by FAA regulations and Massport; the city has no local authority over flight paths. Massport has noise abatement programs and a complaint hotline.

Revere's noise ordinance prohibits construction before 7 AM (9 AM on Saturdays and holidays) and after 6 PM. No construction on Sundays. Confirmed by Revere Building Department FAQ.

Barking dogs addressed under Revere Code Title 6 (Animals) and general nuisance provisions. Excessive barking complaints handled by Revere Animal Control. Dogs must be licensed annually under MGL c. 140 §137.

Revere enforces noise complaints under Title 9 (Public Peace, Safety & Welfare) of its Code of Ordinances. No published single decibel limit; enforcement uses MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 standard (ambient +10 dB at property line). Residential disturbances enforced by Revere Police.

Revere Code Chapter 8.09 (Short-Term Rentals, adopted August 24, 2020) caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of six people total, exclusive of children under age 12. Only entire residential units owned by an operator who maintains a Revere primary residence may be rented; rooms or partial units are prohibited.

Revere's Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Revere Code Chapter 8.09, adopted by City Council August 24, 2020) does not impose a STR-specific parking ratio. Off-street parking for the dwelling unit is governed by Section 17.28 of the Revere Zoning Ordinance, which sets parking by district and use, and by Title 10 on-street rules administered by the Office of the Parking Clerk.

Massachusetts state law requires every short-term rental operator to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance per stay under MGL c.175, §4F (added by the Acts of 2018, Chapter 337), unless the booking platform provides equal or greater coverage. Revere Code Chapter 8.09 layers a separate local requirement: a valid insurance binder of at least $250,000 per incident must be filed with the Office of Short Term Rental at registration.

Revere STRs must comply with local noise bylaws. Hosts responsible for guest behavior. Complaints may trigger license review.

Revere requires annual STR registration with a $300 fee through the Short-Term Rental Office. Only primary residences or units attached to one are eligible. Room-only rentals are prohibited.

STRs in Revere are subject to Massachusetts state room occupancy excise tax (5.7% under MGL c. 64G) plus Revere's local option tax. State DOR registration required (Room Occupancy Consolidated tax via MassTaxConnect). $300 annual city registration fee applies in addition to taxes.

Fire pits in Revere are regulated under state fire code 527 CMR 1.0. Gas-fueled appliances must comply with manufacturer specifications. Wood-burning fires require compliance with open burning rules.

Open burning is BANNED FOR ANY REASON in the City of Revere. The Revere Fire Department prominently states this on its official website. This ban is permanent and covers all forms of outdoor burning.

All consumer fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts under MGL c. 148 §39, including sparklers. Revere Code Title 9 Ch. 9.24 addresses fireworks/holidays. No consumer fireworks exceptions under state or local law.

Revere may require vegetation management for fire safety. MA does not have a statewide defensible space mandate. Local property maintenance applies.

Abandoned vehicles on Revere's public ways governed by state law MGL c. 90 §22C (72-hour rule). Revere's active overnight parking enforcement (12 AM–6 AM) makes street abandonment difficult. Vehicles without valid registration towed; inoperable vehicles must be stored off-street.

Revere's residential streets have limited capacity for RV parking. Zoning regulations under Section 17.28 govern parking of oversized vehicles in different districts.

Revere has a city-wide electronic residential parking permit program under Code Ch. 10.34. As of March 1, 2025, no physical sticker required — registration is linked to vehicle registration. Overnight hours of enforcement: 12 AM – 6 AM daily (excluding holidays). Permit is free for Revere-registered vehicles with no outstanding excise/parking debts.

Commercial vehicles require a separate Commercial Vehicle Parking Permit to park overnight on public ways in Revere. Cost: $420/year. Vehicle must be under 10,000 lbs GVW, and a valid business certificate must be on file with the City Clerk. Only 1 permit per household; valid only on the registered street.

Fence height limits in Revere are set by the Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 (Ch. 17.24 Dimensional Regulations). Typical residential limits: 4 ft front yard, 6 ft side/rear yard. Building Division provides a fence/shed guide. Site Plan Review Committee reviews plans.

Massachusetts has a spite fence statute (MGL c.49 §21) but no shared fence cost law. Each owner is responsible for their own fence.

Revere requires dogs under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Dog licensing required through city/town clerk (MGL c.140 §155). Rabies vaccination mandatory.

Exotic pets in Massachusetts regulated under 321 CMR 9.01. Most wild animals prohibited without a license; MassWildlife does NOT issue personal pet licenses. Exempt species include hedgehogs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, and certain reptiles.

Beekeeping governed by MGL c. 128 §§32–36 (state apiary inspection program). Local Board of Health rules may restrict beekeeping in Revere's dense urban areas. No published Revere-specific beekeeping ordinance found.

Massachusetts does not ban specific dog breeds statewide. Some municipalities have attempted BSL with mixed results. Dangerous dog provisions are behavior-based.

Revere may have a tree warden per MGL c.87. Public shade trees are protected statewide - removal requires tree warden consent.

Tree removal on private property governed by Revere's zoning ordinance and building permit requirements. Street trees require a DPW permit. Wetlands buffer (100 ft) under MGL c. 131 §40 restricts work near wetlands, which is significant given Revere's coastal character.

Revere allows home occupations in residential zones with conditions per MA Zoning Act (MGL c.40A). Home-based childcare has special protections.

Revere Municipal Code Section 17.24.170 requires all swimming pools to be enclosed on all sides by a 6-foot barrier with self-locking gates, exceeding the Massachusetts state minimum.

ADUs are now allowed by right statewide under MA Affordable Homes Act (Ch. 150, Acts of 2024, §8, effective Feb 2, 2025). Max 900 sq ft or 50% of dwelling. Revere's former two-year owner-occupancy requirement is no longer enforceable. City is considering a home rule petition to regain local control.

Sheds and accessory structures in Revere governed by Zoning Title 17 and 780 CMR. Building Division provides a guide for fences, sheds, and retaining walls. Permits required for structures over 120–200 sq ft or those with electrical/plumbing.

Garage conversions in Revere require a building permit and zoning compliance. Under the MA Affordable Homes Act (2025), garage conversions are a protected ADU type allowed by right in single-family zones, overriding Revere's former restrictions.

Revere has extreme flood risk: 598 repetitive loss structures with over $8 million in NFIP claims since 1978. The city borders the Atlantic Ocean and Revere Beach Boulevard. Significant portions of the city are in SFHA (Zone AE). FEMA FIRM active. Flood insurance mandatory for federal mortgage holders in SFHA. MA Building Code requires BFE + 1 ft elevation in A Zones.

Revere enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.