Trimming a tree on your own Lynn property needs no permit. But public shade trees — those in or along a public way — are protected statewide: under MGL c.87 §3 only the tree warden may cut or remove them, and only after a posted public hearing.
Massachusetts gives public shade trees strong protection under MGL c.87. Lynn's Department of Public Works appoints a tree warden, and the city's urban forestry program — led by an ISA-certified arborist hired in 2024 — coordinates public tree care. Any tree within or on the boundary of a public way is a public shade tree; under c.87 §3 it may not be cut, trimmed, or removed by anyone but the tree warden except by written permit, and never removed without a posted public hearing. Trees wholly on private land may be pruned freely. Branches overhanging from a neighbor's tree may be trimmed back to the property line.
Cutting, trimming, or removing a public shade tree without the tree warden's written permit and a public hearing violates MGL c.87 §3, exposing the violator to fines and liability for the tree's value under c.87 §6.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
lynn-ma
Lynn permits residential holiday decorations without a permit. The sign ordinance specifically exempts holiday string lighting from its ban on commercial str...
lynn-ma
Lynn's sign ordinance bans portable signs citywide and provides no garage-sale-sign exception. The wire-frame directional signs placed on poles, corners, or ...
lynn-ma
Lynn's sign ordinance lists political signs in residential areas among prohibited signs (Section 4:00), but that flat ban is unenforceable against yard signs...
lynn-ma
Lynn requires every private residential rental unit, including condos, to register yearly with Inspectional Services and pass inspection every five years. In...
lynn-ma
Lynn has no local just-cause eviction law; state law governs. Landlords must serve proper written notice and win a court judgment. A tenancy at will needs 30...
lynn-ma
State law (MGL c.40P) prohibits rent control on privately owned housing across Massachusetts. Lynn cannot cap rents or limit increases. Landlords may raise r...
See how Lynn's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.