Lowell Code section 171-12 (Weeds and Noxious Matter), in the Health and Sanitation chapter, bars owners from allowing weeds or other noxious matter on their lot or abutting sidewalk and authorizes the Board of Health to order abatement, with a $50 fine per offense. A separate property-maintenance rule (sec. 227-3L) caps weeds at 18 inches and declares overgrowth a public nuisance.
Lowell regulates weeds through two complementary provisions. First, City of Lowell Code section 171-12 (Weeds and Noxious Matter), within Chapter 171 (Health and Sanitation), Article I (Nuisances), prohibits any owner, tenant, or lessee from permitting weeds or deleterious, unhealthful growths or other noxious matter on their lot or the abutting sidewalk. The Board of Health, or its authorized agent, may notify the owner in writing to cut, destroy, or remove the growth; on the owner's failure to comply, the Board may have the growth removed and obtain assistance from other municipal departments, charging the cost to the owner. Second, Chapter 227 (Property Maintenance), section 227-3(L), sets a hard 18-inch ceiling on weeds and declares non-compliant growth a public nuisance, and section 227-3(N) requires vacant lots to be kept free of noxious weeds and overgrowth. Together these give both the Board of Health and the Division of Development Services authority to act on weed complaints.
Violation of the section 171-12 weed prohibition is punishable by a fine of $50 for each offense, and the Board of Health may abate the condition and recover the cost. Violations of the Chapter 227 overgrowth standard carry a $100 fine per offense under section 227-4, each day a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
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Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
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