Grass height enforcement in Suffolk County happens at the city level. Boston's Public Works and Inspectional Services enforce overgrown-vegetation complaints, and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) covers rental properties.
Suffolk County does not regulate vegetation. Boston Municipal Code §16-12.10 and §7-2.2 (Housing Code) authorize Inspectional Services and the Public Works Department to enforce overgrown-vegetation nuisances on private property. Boston generally treats grass and weeds over 10 inches as a violation. The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.750) lists "overgrown vegetation" as a Condition Deemed to Endanger Health for rental properties — enforceable by the Boston Public Health Commission and local Boards of Health in Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Under MGL c. 111 §§122-127, a local Board of Health issues a notice to abate; if the property owner fails to act within the compliance window (typically 10 days), the municipality may cut the grass and place a municipal lien on the property for costs. Boston's 311 system receives thousands of overgrown-lot complaints per year, heaviest in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop follow similar enforcement paths through their Boards of Health.
Boston overgrown-lot notice to abate with ~10-day compliance window. Municipal cutting at owner expense: $200-$800+ per cut plus administrative fee. 105 CMR 410 rental violations trigger State Sanitary Code enforcement. Repeat violations: escalating fines under Boston Municipal Code §16-12.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Suffolk County, MA
Amplified music in Suffolk County is regulated at the city level. Boston requires Entertainment Licenses from the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs & Licens...
Suffolk County, MA
Driveway rules in Suffolk County are set by each city. Boston requires a curb-cut permit from the Public Improvement Commission, and blocking a Boston sidewa...
Suffolk County, MA
Massachusetts has a spite fence statute (MGL c.49 §21) but no shared fence cost law. Each owner is responsible for their own fence.
Suffolk County, MA
Massachusetts does not ban specific dog breeds statewide. Some municipalities have attempted BSL with mixed results. Dangerous dog provisions are behavior-ba...
Suffolk County, MA
Suffolk County requires dogs under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Dog licensing required through city/town clerk (MGL c.140 §155). Rabies vaccination...
Suffolk County, MA
MA prohibits intentional feeding of black bears (MGL c. 131, §75A) and regulates feeding of white-tailed deer. Boston Health Code §2-2.8 prohibits feeding of...
See how Suffolk County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.