Tree removal permit rules in Somerville, MA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
The Somerville Tree Preservation Ordinance (2020) requires a permit to remove any significant tree on private property and mandates replacement or fee-in-lieu payments to the tree fund.
The Somerville Tree Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 2020-9, Municipal Code Chapter 12) was one of the strongest urban tree protection laws in Massachusetts. It requires a permit from the Tree Warden for removal of any significant tree, defined as a tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 6 inches or more on private property. Removal of public shade trees also requires a public hearing under MGL c.87. Applicants must either replace the tree on site at a ratio based on size (often inch-for-inch) or pay a mitigation fee into the Somerville Tree Preservation Fund. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees may be removed with documentation from a certified arborist. Illegal removal triggers fines up to 300 dollars per day plus full replacement cost.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Somerville, MA
Somerville restricts amplified music through its noise ordinance and entertainment licensing, with plainly-audible standards at property lines and stricter c...
Somerville, MA
Somerville limits construction noise to daytime and early-evening weekday hours with shorter Saturday windows and a full Sunday and holiday prohibition, refl...
Somerville, MA
Overnight street parking in Somerville requires a resident permit citywide. Snow emergencies trigger odd-even or posted-side bans.
Somerville, MA
Commercial vehicles over 2.5 tons cannot park overnight on Somerville residential streets. Loading zones are time-limited and signed by block.
Somerville, MA
Most Somerville streets are resident-permit zones. Non-residents are limited to 2 hours on posted blocks from 8 AM to 8 PM daily including weekends.
Somerville, MA
Somerville requires a building permit for most fence installations, with historic districts adding a Historic Preservation Commission review step for visible...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle tree removal & heritage trees.
See how Somerville's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.