Public shade trees in Bristol County are protected by MGL c. 87 §3 — removal requires Tree Warden approval and public hearing. Private-property tree-removal rules vary by municipality.
Massachusetts protects public shade trees (those within the public right-of-way or on public land) under MGL c. 87 §3. Removal of any public shade tree in Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, or any Bristol County municipality requires written permission from the local Tree Warden. Trees 1.5+ inch diameter at breast height (DBH) on public land trigger a public hearing under MGL c. 87 §4 with notice published and posted. Private-property tree removal is generally not regulated statewide but some Bristol County towns (Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven) have adopted local tree-protection bylaws for trees over a specified DBH (6-12 inches typical). Wetlands buffer zones under MGL c. 131 §40 restrict tree removal within 100 feet of wetland resources. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees qualify for expedited review.
Unauthorized removal of public shade tree: fine equal to tree value under MGL c. 87 §6, often $500 to $10,000+. Replacement planting at 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. Wetlands violations: MassDEP enforcement with daily fines.
Fall River, MA
Fall River prohibits all noises that menace health or interrupt sleep between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on Sundays. The city's noise regul...
Fall River, MA
Fall River addresses barking and nuisance dogs under MGL Ch. 140 §157. A dog that is a habitual barker or creates a nuisance may result in a citation with a ...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates construction noise under its general noise ordinance provisions. Construction activities that create excessive noise are prohibited duri...
Fall River, MA
Fall River's zoning code Ch. 86 §86-441 requires parking areas to be set back at least 10 feet from front lot lines and from abutting residential property li...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates the parking of trailers, semitrailers, and large vehicles on city streets under §70-320. Commercial buses designed to carry 7+ persons m...
Fall River, MA
Fall River enforces street parking regulations under Ch. 70 of the Revised Ordinances. A winter parking ban is declared when 3+ inches of snow are predicted,...
See how Fall River's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.