Lowell caps exterior lighting spill at residential property lines to 0.1 footcandle, and chronic light trespass can be abated as a nuisance by Inspectional Services or in civil court.
Lowell zoning standards for site plan review require that exterior lighting be designed so that no more than 0.1 footcandle of illumination crosses a residential property line and no more than 0.5 footcandle crosses a commercial property line. Full-cutoff fixtures and proper aiming are the standard remedy. For residential-to-residential light trespass, there is no direct ordinance limit, but persistent intrusive lighting can be a private nuisance under Massachusetts common law and may be abated in housing court or small-claims court. Inspectional Services can cite any commercial or multifamily fixture not in compliance with approved site plans.
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 light trespass.
See how Lowell's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
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