Owners of vacant lots in Lowell must keep them free of trash, overgrown vegetation, and dumping, and secure them against unauthorized access.
Vacant and undeveloped lots in Lowell are held to the same property maintenance standards as occupied properties. Owners must control vegetation to reasonable heights, prevent illegal dumping, remove debris, and cut sight lines at corners to avoid traffic hazards. Open pits, foundations, or swimming pools must be fenced or filled. The city can issue abatement orders, perform work itself, and recover costs via tax lien under MGL c.139 or local ordinance. Vacant buildings on lots must be secured to prevent trespass and fire; owners may be required to register vacant buildings and pay a registration fee.
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 vacant lot maintenance.
See how Lowell's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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