Lawrence, MA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Trimming duty
- Branches over sidewalks/streets kept clear
- Hazard trees
- Dead trees near right-of-way must be removed
- Enforcing official
- Commissioner of Inspectional Services
- Escalated penalty
- $100.00 per day per unresolved order
- Separate rule
- Small-cell chapter bars tree topping near equipment
Summary
Lawrence property owners must keep tree and shrub branches trimmed back from public sidewalks, streets and rights-of-way so they don't interfere with pedestrians or vehicles, and must remove dead trees that endanger the right-of-way or nearby structures. The duty sits in the city's property maintenance code, enforced by the commissioner of inspectional services.
Trees and shrubs which have branches projecting into the public right-of-way, including public sidewalks, public places, or public highways, shall be kept trimmed to prevent interference with any person or vehicle lawfully using the right-of-way. Dead trees in proximity to rights-of-way, buildings, structures, or congregations of people which may endanger such object shall be removed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
70(E) of the Building and Property Maintenance Code puts the trimming duty on the property owner rather than the city: trees and shrubs which have branches projecting into the public right-of-way, including public sidewalks, public places, or public highways, shall be kept trimmed to prevent interference with any person or vehicle lawfully using the right-of-way. The very next subsection, F, adds a removal duty for hazard trees: dead trees in proximity to rights-of-way, buildings, structures, or congregations of people which may endanger such object shall be removed.
Together the two subsections cover both routine clearance, cutting back live branches that hang over a sidewalk or street, and hazard abatement, taking down a dead tree that could fall on a walkway, a building or a crowd. 080, inspects and can order a specific correction with a deadline. This is separate from the city's small-cell wireless facilities chapter, which independently bars improper tree topping near wireless equipment in the right-of-way, a narrower rule aimed at protecting utility infrastructure rather than at general sidewalk clearance, so it does not substitute for this section's public-right-of-way trimming duty.
Violations & Fines
An owner who lets branches encroach on a sidewalk or street, or leaves a hazard tree standing, can be served a notice of order under Section 8.20.090 describing the required trimming or removal and a deadline. Ignoring an unappealed or affirmed order draws a $100.00-per-day fine under Section 8.20.130, with each day of continued noncompliance treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to trim tree branches hanging over a Lawrence sidewalk?
Do I have to remove a dead tree on my property in Lawrence?
Is there a separate rule about cutting trees near cell equipment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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