Middlesex County weed regulations are enforced under MGL c.111 s.122 and local Board of Health bylaws. Noxious weeds, ragweed, and overgrown lots can trigger abatement orders and property liens.
Weed enforcement in Middlesex County operates through the Massachusetts public nuisance statute MGL Chapter 111 Section 122 and local Board of Health regulations. Boards of Health in each Middlesex city and town (Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, Lowell, Waltham, Framingham, Arlington, Medford, Malden, Woburn, etc.) can declare overgrown vegetation a public health nuisance, issue abatement orders, and ultimately contract out cutting with a municipal lien against the property. Typical triggers include weeds harboring rats or ticks, ragweed in residential areas, Japanese knotweed (an invasive), and general neglect during vacant property ownership. The MA Prohibited Plant List (333 CMR 9.00) identifies noxious and invasive species. Giant hogweed (a state-listed noxious weed causing skin burns) must be reported to the MA Department of Agricultural Resources. Typical fines range $50 to $300 per day of violation. Pollinator gardens and meadows are usually exempt if registered with the town.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no operational county government - it was abolished July 11, 1997 under M.G.L. c. 34B - so there is no countywide noise ordinance. Massa...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. Dog licensing required statewide (MGL c.140 §155).
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no unified leaf blower ordinance. Regulations are set by individual cities and towns such as Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, and Lexington...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight and size limits apply. Overnight storage of heavy trucks prohibited.
Middlesex County, MA
Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, a...
Middlesex County, MA
Winter parking bans are the dominant rule across Middlesex County. Most cities prohibit overnight on-street parking from November through April to allow snow...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle weed ordinances.
See how Ayer's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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