Lawrence, MA Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Barred
- 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays
- Barred
- Before 8:30 a.m. weekends
- Covers
- Lawn/garden tools, saws, mowers
- Exempt
- Powered snow-removal equipment
- Penalty
- $200 minimum per offense
Summary
Lawrence bars outdoor power tools, including lawn and garden equipment such as leaf blowers, saws, drills, and mowers, between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and before 8:30 a.m. on weekends. Powered snow-removal equipment is specifically excluded from the restriction.
Domestic power tools. It is unlawful to operate or permit the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, grinder, sander, lawn or garden tool, lawn mower or other similar device used outdoors other than powered snow removal equipment between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or on Saturday or Sunday before the hour of 8:30 a.m.
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
on Saturday or Sunday. A leaf blower falls squarely within lawn or garden tool, so running one outside those permitted windows is a violation regardless of whether the noise crosses a property line, unlike several of the chapter's other specific prohibitions, which require the noise to be heard across a boundary. The carve-out for powered snow removal equipment means Lawrence residents can run snowblowers at any hour without running afoul of this subsection, reflecting the practical need to clear snow before morning commutes. 040(A), which bars any machine noise that annoys, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others during the same overnight hours, can reach outdoor power-tool noise as well, giving enforcement two overlapping bases for a citation.
Violations & Fines
Operating a leaf blower, lawn mower, or other outdoor power tool between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, or before 8:30 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, is fined not less than $200.00 per offense under Section 9.04.040(C); each day of continued use is a separate offense. Police and traffic control officers enforce the restriction, with noncriminal disposition available under G.L. c. 40 Section 21D.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a leaf blower early in the morning in Lawrence?
Are snowblowers covered by Lawrence's power-tool noise rule?
What happens if I run a lawn mower after 9 p.m. in Lawrence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
How Lawrence compares: Cities with the Strictest Leaf Blower Rules·Compare Lawrence to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.