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.
See how Suffolk County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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