Lowell residents must place trash bags and recycling bins at the curb no earlier than the evening before pickup and remove empty containers the same day to avoid blight citations.
Trash and recycling containers in Lowell must be placed at the curb or designated collection point within a reasonable period before collection, generally no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the evening before pickup, and must be set out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Empty containers must be retrieved from the curb and returned to a storage area on the property by the end of the collection day. Bins stored in front yards or leaning against front sidewalks outside of collection windows can generate blight enforcement under Lowell property maintenance rules. Containers must not block sidewalks, curb ramps, fire hydrants, or pedestrian travel paths.
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 bin placement rules.
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