Trees on private property in Lowell may be trimmed by the owner, but public shade trees in the tree belt or right-of-way are protected under MGL c.87 and require a permit and hearing from the Tree Warden before any cutting.
Massachusetts has one of the oldest public shade tree laws in the country, MGL c.87, which protects any tree located within the public right-of-way, including street trees in the grass strip between sidewalk and curb. In Lowell, these trees fall under the jurisdiction of the Tree Warden within the Department of Public Works. No one, including the abutting homeowner, may trim, prune, top, or remove a public shade tree without written permission from the Tree Warden, and removals generally require a posted notice and public hearing. Fines for unauthorized cutting can equal the replacement value of the tree, often thousands of dollars. On private property, homeowners may trim their own trees as they wish, though they must not trespass or cause damage. Branches overhanging from a neighbor yard may be trimmed back to the property line as long as the trimming does not damage the health of the tree. Utility line clearance is handled by National Grid or Eversource.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Lowell, MA
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell enforces nighttime quiet hours that restrict unreasonable noise in residential areas, authorized under MGL c.40 s.21 and enforced by Lowell Police and...
Lowell, MA
Amplified music from homes, vehicles, or outdoor events in Lowell must not be plainly audible beyond 50 feet and is subject to permit rules for public venues.
Lowell, MA
Industrial operations in Lowell must keep noise within Massachusetts DEP guidelines and the local ordinance, with stricter limits at residential property lines.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle tree trimming.
See how Lowell's tree trimming 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.