Massachusetts sets no statewide grass-height limit. Because Hampshire County has had no county government since 1999, the rule that binds an address is its town or city property-maintenance bylaw. Northampton, Amherst, and their neighbors commonly order lawns cut once they pass ten to twelve inches.
Every Hampshire County property sits inside a municipality, and since the county government was abolished in 1999 there is no county lawn ordinance to enforce. Northampton, Amherst, South Hadley, and Belchertown each run their own property-maintenance bylaw treating tall grass and weeds as a nuisance, with limits that usually land around ten to twelve inches. A building inspector or health agent issues written notice and a deadline; ignore it and the town can cut the lot and bill the owner. For rental housing, the State Sanitary Code, 105 CMR 410, separately treats heavy overgrowth as a habitability issue the board of health can act on.
The town issues written notice with a compliance deadline. If the owner does not cut, the municipality mows the lot and assesses the cost against the owner, and for rentals the board of health may act under 105 CMR 410.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Belchertown, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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See how Belchertown's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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