Before You Build in Lowell, MA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

All residential swimming pools in Lowell must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates, per 780 CMR.

Retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top) require engineered plans and a building permit in Lowell.

No building permit is required for a fence up to six feet in height on or close to a lot line, but a building permit is required to construct any fence over six feet. Corner-lot fences must not obstruct views.

Lowell allows a fence up to six feet in height on or near a lot line with no building permit; a fence over six feet requires a building permit. Within the corner-clearance triangle at intersecting streets, no fence may exceed three and one-half feet in height.

Massachusetts law (MGL c.49, the Fence Law) governs shared boundary fences; Lowell applies these rules along with zoning setbacks.

Lowell treats above-ground pools over 24 inches deep the same as in-ground pools for permitting, barrier, and electrical safety, with some allowances for pool-wall barrier compliance.

Lowell hot tubs and spas require building and electrical permits and must have a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 or a code-compliant barrier.

A City of Lowell permit is required to install any swimming pool that holds water over 24 inches deep, including self-install and inflatable temporary pools; the pool must also meet the city's setback rules.

Lowell pools must comply with the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act anti-entrapment requirements plus Massachusetts supervision, signage, and equipment rules.

Every residential swimming pool in Lowell must be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate; where the house wall forms part of the enclosure, doors leading to the pool must be alarmed.

Per the Massachusetts State Building Code, a building permit is required to change the use or occupancy of a structure, so converting a Lowell garage or accessory building to living space needs a permit; converting an existing detached structure to an ADU is allowed by-right under state ADU law.

Lowell allows one accessory dwelling unit by-right on any lot that permits single-family homes, capped at 900 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling's gross floor area (whichever is smaller), with no owner-occupancy requirement, under Massachusetts's statewide ADU law.

Tiny homes on permanent foundations can qualify as ADUs in Lowell under the 2024 state ADU mandate up to 900 square feet. Tiny houses on wheels are generally not allowed as permanent dwellings because they are classified as RVs under state law.

Carports are treated as accessory structures in Lowell and require a building permit if they exceed 120 square feet or are attached to the house. They must meet zoning setbacks and may not be located in the front yard setback.

In Lowell, storage sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds up to 200 square feet and 16 feet tall may sit within side and rear yard setbacks but must stay at least 10 feet from the dwelling and be anchored against wind.

Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces are prohibited in Lowell because open burning is banned at all times under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e). The Lowell Fire Department does authorize propane- and natural-gas-fired fire pits if they meet 527 CMR 1.0 placement and safety requirements.

Lowell is one of 22 Massachusetts communities where open burning is prohibited at all times. Under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e), no resident may conduct open/outside burning of brush, leaves, or other materials in the city, regardless of season.

Lowell has no year-round watering ban, but Code of Ordinances Chapter 272, Part 5 (Restrictions on Use of Water, sections 272-101 through 272-106) lets the Lowell Regional Water Utility declare a state of water supply conservation and impose odd/even-day watering, watering hours, a full outdoor watering ban, pool-filling bans, or a ban on automatic sprinklers. Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 40, sec. 41A) independently authorizes water authorities to restrain water use during a declared drought emergency.

Removing a public shade tree in Lowell requires action by the tree warden and, under MGL c. 87, sec. 3, a posted and published public hearing with at least seven days' notice; no abutting owner may remove such a tree on their own. Removing vegetation on private property may also require a Conservation Commission permit under Lowell Code section 227-3(L).

In Massachusetts, trees within or along a public way are public shade trees that may not be cut, trimmed, or removed by anyone except the tree warden or under a written permit from the tree warden, even by the abutting property owner, under MGL c. 87, sec. 3. Lowell's own Code (sec. 227-3L) separately requires owners to trim hedges, shrubs, and trees so limbs do not obstruct streets or sidewalks and to remove dead limbs that could fall onto a public way.