Norfolk County does not regulate trees. Public shade trees statewide are protected under MGL c. 87. Private tree removal permits exist in some Norfolk County towns (Brookline, Milton, Newton-adjacent) but not most.
Tree removal rules vary sharply across Norfolk County. The key statewide law is MGL c. 87 (Public Shade Tree Law), which protects any tree in or within 20 ft of a public way: removal requires a hearing before the town's Tree Warden. MGL c. 87 §3 criminalizes unauthorized cutting of shade trees. For private trees on private property, most Norfolk County towns have NO permit requirement — owners may remove trees at will. Exceptions with private tree ordinances include Brookline (General Bylaws Article 8.39 regulates removal of trees ≥18" DBH), Milton, and some wetland-adjacent parcels where tree removal triggers Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131 §40) Conservation Commission review. Scenic Road Law (MGL c. 40 §15C) protects trees along designated scenic roads.
No county enforcement. MGL c. 87 public shade tree violations: criminal under §6, up to $500/tree. Brookline Article 8.39: $300-$2,000/tree. Wetlands violations: up to $25,000.
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate amplified music. Each municipality requires entertainment licenses or one-day amplified sound permits under MGL c. 140 §183A...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not handle abandoned vehicles. MGL c. 90B §2 allows police to remove abandoned vehicles after 72 hours. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth t...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restric...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham follows the Massachusetts state framework for residential fire pits: cooking-only fire pits and grills are exempt from open-burning rules, but any...
Bellingham, MA
Bellingham allows residential open burning only during the Massachusetts state burn season — January 15 through May 1 — with a daily permit from the Bellingh...
Norfolk County, MA
Brookline enacted the first MA town-wide ban on new artificial turf on town property (2023 Town Meeting Art. 14). Other Norfolk County towns allow turf resid...
See how Bellingham's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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