Massachusetts protects all trees within public ways as public shade trees, requiring tree warden hearing and posted notice before removal statewide.
G.L. c. 87 establishes that all trees within a public way or on the boundaries are public shade trees under the control of the local tree warden. No public shade tree larger than one and one-half inches in diameter at breast height may be cut, trimmed, or removed without written permission from the tree warden after a public hearing held under c. 87 Section 3. Notice must be posted on the tree at least seven days in advance, and the warden may impose conditions including replacement.
Unauthorized cutting of a public shade tree is punishable by fines up to $500 per tree and treble damages under G.L. c. 242 Section 7.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Waltham, MA
Waltham sits under Boston Logan arrival corridors and is affected by federal FAA regulations, with local enforcement limited to ground noise.
Waltham, MA
Waltham permits leaf blowers during daytime hours only, with seasonal restrictions being debated as part of regional Boston suburb trends.
Waltham, MA
Waltham enforces nighttime quiet hours under Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code, with stricter limits in residential zones near Brandeis and Bentley campuses.
Waltham, MA
Construction noise in Waltham is restricted to daytime hours to protect residential neighborhoods and students living near Brandeis and Bentley Universities.
Waltham, MA
Waltham requires electrical permits for home EV chargers and follows Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code requiring EV-ready parking in new multifamily and comm...
Waltham, MA
Waltham enforces metered parking downtown, resident permit zones in dense neighborhoods, and a citywide winter parking ban during snow emergencies.
See how Waltham's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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