Haverhill, MA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Street tree spacing
- Max 50 feet on center
- Setback from front line
- 3 feet
- Tree type required
- Deciduous, from SPGA's approved list
- Multifamily ratio
- 15 trees per acre
- Governing section
- Haverhill City Code Section 255-6.3.3(3)(i)
Summary
New nonresidential, multifamily, and mixed-use development in the City of Haverhill must plant street trees under City Code Section 255-6.3.3(3)(i). Deciduous trees drawn from the SPGA's approved list go in at a maximum of 50 feet on center and three feet from the front property line.
i. Preservation of natural vegetation and provision of street trees. Initial development of any parcel or lot shall include the provision of street trees, landscaping and preservation of natural vegetation in the following manner: (1) Street trees selected from those deciduous types listed in the Development Review Rules and Regulations shall be planted a maximum of 50 feet on center and three feet from the front property line (and within the property and with proper allowance for utility lines and driveways).
Full Breakdown
Haverhill requires covered development to plant street trees as part of the same landscaping performance standards that govern buffers, screening, and retaining walls. Section 255-6.3.3(3)(i), titled Preservation of natural vegetation and provision of street trees, states that initial development of any parcel must include street trees, landscaping, and preservation of natural vegetation. The street trees themselves must be deciduous types selected from the list in the SPGA's Development Review Rules and Regulations, planted no more than 50 feet apart on center and set three feet back from the front property line, while still allowing for utility lines and driveways.
Beyond street trees, Section 255-6.3.3(3)(i)(2) sets a separate planting ratio for the rest of the lot: single-family and two-family homes on lots under 15,000 square feet must add two trees per lot, homes on lots of 15,000 square feet or more must add four trees per lot, multifamily development must add 15 trees per acre, and commercial or business development must add one tree for every 20 parking spaces, distributed within the parking area and protected from vehicular damage. A developer can satisfy these ratios by preserving existing tree growth that already meets the specifications rather than planting new stock.
This entire standard applies only to development that triggers Section 255-6.3's performance-standards review under Section 255-10.1.4, typically nonresidential, multifamily, or mixed-use projects over 10,000 square feet or 10 units.
Violations & Fines
There is no standalone fine for Section 255-6.3.3(3)(i) in the Code's penalty schedule, so noncompliance defaults to the general penalty under Section 1-16A, up to $300 per offense with each day treated separately. In practice, the SPGA and Building Commissioner enforce the street-tree requirement through the permitting process, withholding development-review or special-permit sign-off, and later a certificate of occupancy under Section 255-10.1.5, until the required trees are planted and any dead stock is replaced within a growing season under Section 255-6.3.3(3)(h).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart must street trees be planted in a new Haverhill development?
How many trees does a Haverhill single-family lot need beyond street trees?
Can a Haverhill developer count existing trees toward the planting requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haverhill
Compare Haverhill to another location·View the Massachusetts tree protection overview
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