Pop. 29,550 · Norfolk County
We currently have 3 ordinances verified for Wellesley, MA. Our research team is actively working to add more categories including noise rules, parking restrictions, fence regulations, building permits, and other local ordinances that affect daily life.
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Wellesley's Building Department exempts one-story sheds/accessory buildings of 100 square feet or less from a building permit, but they must still comply with Zoning Bylaw Section 19(B). Sheds cannot be placed within the first 30 feet of a lot abutting a roadway; side and rear yard setbacks do not apply. Anything over 100 sq ft needs a permit and a certified plot plan.
Wellesley allows garage conversions to ADUs under Wellesley Zoning Bylaw §5.13 (as amended April 15, 2025 by Article 40.1) consistent with Section 8 of the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act. Converted garage ADUs are by-right in Single Residence Districts with a building permit from the Inspector of Buildings and an annual Certificate of Compliance from the Planning Department.
Norfolk County has no designated wildfire hazard zones — not a high-risk WUI region. MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Bureau of Forest Fire Control runs the state wildfire program. Blue Hills Reservation carries moderate risk.
Norfolk County may require vegetation management for fire safety. MA does not have a statewide defensible space mandate. Local property maintenance applies.
ALL consumer fireworks — including sparklers, firecrackers, Roman candles, and aerial fireworks — are ILLEGAL throughout Massachusetts under MGL c. 148 §39. This is a statewide prohibition; Norfolk County does not need its own ordinance.
Open burning in Massachusetts is governed by MGL c. 48 §13. It is prohibited from May 1 through January 14 each year. During the allowed season (Jan 15–Apr 30), a permit from the local fire warden is required; burning allowed only 10 AM–4 PM.
Norfolk County has no county-level fire pit rules. Recreational fire pits are regulated by each municipality. Under the MA State Fire Code (527 CMR), recreational fires in approved containers (3 ft diameter or less) are generally distinct from open burning and may be permitted year-round in many towns.
Massachusetts requires a state fire marshal license and local fire chief permit to store flammable gases including propane above specified threshold quantities.
Norfolk County does not restrict rainwater harvesting. MA has no statewide restrictions on residential rain barrel or cistern use. Many Norfolk County towns offer rain barrel rebate programs.
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 residentially. State regulations on PFAS in turf evolving.
Norfolk County has no native plant rule. MA Pollinator Plan and Stretch Code encourage natives. Brookline and Quincy offer climate-resilient landscape guidance. MA prohibits sale of listed invasive species.
Norfolk County does not enforce weed abatement. Individual municipalities enforce property maintenance under MGL c. 111 §122 (nuisance) and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) for rental property.
Norfolk County has no county-level grass height ordinance. Grass and weed height limits are set by each municipality through local public health and nuisance bylaws, typically enforced by the Board of Health.
Norfolk County does not regulate tree trimming. Rules governing tree work near roads and utility lines are set by state law, each municipality's tree warden, and utility companies.
Tree removal in Norfolk County is governed by state law (MGL c. 87 for public trees) and municipal bylaws. Public shade trees require a Tree Warden permit. Many Norfolk County towns also require permits to remove large private trees.
Norfolk County has no county-level water restriction program. Outdoor watering restrictions are set by each municipality's water department and the MA Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Water Management Act permits.
Norfolk County does not regulate amplified music. Each municipality requires entertainment licenses or one-day amplified sound permits under MGL c. 140 §183A. ABCC-licensed venues must meet state license conditions.
Norfolk County has no county-level leaf blower ordinance. Rules vary dramatically by municipality — Brookline has a full gas leaf blower ban, while other towns only regulate hours.
Norfolk County, MA does not have a county-level noise ordinance. Massachusetts counties have extremely limited regulatory authority; noise rules are set by each individual city or town. Residents must follow their municipality's ordinance.
Norfolk County does not regulate barking dogs at the county level. Dog noise complaints are handled by each municipality's animal control officer and police department under local bylaws.
Norfolk County has no county-level construction-hours ordinance. Construction noise rules are set by each individual municipality in the county. Most towns follow typical MA practice of allowing construction weekdays approximately 7 AM–6 PM.
Massachusetts regulates industrial and commercial noise statewide through the Department of Environmental Protection under the Air Pollution Control regulations, prohibiting noise that creates a condition of air pollution.
Many Norfolk County towns enforce overnight parking bans. Quincy bans 1-6 AM year-round (no permit option). Brookline prohibits 2-6 AM with limited permit program. Weymouth has winter overnight ban November 1-April 1.
Norfolk County has no EV charging rule. MA Stretch Code and Specialized Code require EV-ready parking in new residential construction. Brookline, Quincy, and Weymouth each adopted the Stretch Code.
Norfolk County does not handle abandoned vehicles. MGL c. 90B §2 allows police to remove abandoned vehicles after 72 hours. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth tag and tow via local ordinance.
Norfolk County has no county-level street parking regulations. All street parking rules in Norfolk County are set and enforced by individual cities and towns.
Norfolk County does not regulate RV or recreational vehicle parking. RV parking rules are set by each municipality's zoning bylaws and parking ordinances.
Driveway regulations in Norfolk County are set by individual municipalities through local zoning bylaws and building codes. Norfolk County government has no driveway rules.
Commercial vehicle parking restrictions in Norfolk County are set by individual municipalities. There is no county-level ordinance. Many residential neighborhoods have bylaws restricting overnight commercial vehicle parking.
Family childcare in MA is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) under 606 CMR. MGL c. 40A §3 protects family daycare (up to 6-10 kids) as a by-right residential use — no local zoning can exclude it.
Massachusetts expanded cottage food under MGL c. 94 §305A (2023 act). Residential kitchens may produce non-potentially-hazardous foods for direct sale up to $25,000/year. Local BOH inspection required.
Norfolk County does not regulate home business customer traffic. Municipal zoning bylaws typically limit customer visits to a home occupation to avoid impacts on residential neighborhoods.
Norfolk County does not regulate home business signs. Sign rules are set by each municipality's zoning bylaw. Most Massachusetts towns allow one small nameplate sign (typically 1–2 sq ft) for a permitted home occupation.
Home occupation (home business) rules in Norfolk County are set entirely by individual municipal zoning bylaws. Norfolk County does not regulate home businesses. Most towns allow low-impact home occupations as of right with conditions.
Norfolk County has no pool barrier rule — 780 CMR (MA Building Code) and 105 CMR 435 apply statewide. Minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Enforced by each town's building department.
Norfolk County has no retaining wall rule. 780 CMR (MA Building Code) requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing) or with surcharge loads. Engineered plans required.
Norfolk County has no fence material ordinance. Towns regulate materials via zoning bylaws. Historic districts (Brookline, Dedham, Milton) require Historic District Commission approval.
Fence permits in Norfolk County are issued by individual municipalities — typically by the local building department. Norfolk County government does not issue fence permits.
Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 49 §§1–21) governs boundary fences between neighbors, including cost-sharing and the Fence Viewer process for disputes. Norfolk County courts handle fence viewer appeals.
Norfolk County has no county-level fence height limits. Fence height is regulated by each municipality through local zoning bylaws.
Norfolk County has no hot tub rule. MA Building Code (780 CMR) requires permit for electrical, GFCI protection, and barriers for tubs over 24 in. deep. 527 CMR 12 (MA Electrical Code) governs wiring.
Norfolk County does not issue pool permits. Pool permits are issued by each municipality under the statewide 780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code, which is uniform across all MA towns.
Pool fencing in Massachusetts is governed by the MA State Building Code (780 CMR), which requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around all in-ground and above-ground pools. Norfolk County does not have an additional county pool barrier code.
Pool safety in Norfolk County is governed by MA Building Code (780 CMR) and the MA Department of Public Health regulations for public pools (105 CMR 435). Private residential pools must meet barrier requirements; building permits are required for new pools.
Above-ground pools in Norfolk County must meet MA Building Code barrier requirements. Building permit requirements for above-ground pools vary by municipality and pool size. The 48-inch barrier requirement applies to pools over 24 inches deep.
Massachusetts requires $1M liability insurance for all short-term rentals statewide under MGL c. 64G §68. Hosts in Norfolk County must carry this coverage regardless of town.
Norfolk County has no STR occupancy rule. MA State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.400 sets minimum floor area per occupant. Quincy and Brookline impose 2-per-bedroom-plus-2 caps on registered STRs. Weymouth has no STR cap.
Norfolk County has no county-level STR noise rules. STR guests are subject to the same noise ordinances as residents in whichever municipality the rental is located.
Massachusetts imposes a 5.7% state room occupancy excise on all STRs (MGL c. 64G). Norfolk County municipalities may add a local option excise up to 6%. Many platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) collect and remit these taxes automatically.
Norfolk County does not have a county STR registration program. Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 64G) requires all STR operators statewide to register with the MA Department of Revenue. Individual cities and towns may add local registration requirements.
Norfolk County has no county-level STR parking rules. Parking at short-term rentals is governed by the host municipality's general parking ordinances and any specific STR conditions imposed locally.
Massachusetts prohibits feeding black bears statewide (321 CMR 2.15). MassWildlife enforces. Norfolk County's Blue Hills and Milton-Canton area see regular bear activity. Deer and turkey feeding also regulated.
Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restrict; rural towns like Medfield and Dover allow chickens.
Norfolk County has no county-level leash law. Dog leash requirements are set by each municipality under MGL c. 140 §157. Most Norfolk County towns require dogs to be leashed in public and at large in private without owner consent.
Norfolk County does not regulate beekeeping. Beekeeping rules are set by each municipality. Massachusetts requires hive registration with the MA Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) under MGL c. 128 §34.
Massachusetts MGL c. 131 §23 and 321 CMR 9.01 prohibit keeping most exotic and wild animals as pets. Norfolk County does not regulate exotic pets independently; state law governs statewide.
Massachusetts state law (MGL c. 140 §157) prohibits breed-specific legislation (BSL) at the municipal level. No Norfolk County municipality may ban or restrict specific dog breeds based on breed alone.
Animal cruelty including hoarding is criminalized statewide under M.G.L. Chapter 272 Section 77. Hoarding triggers welfare investigations and felony charges in severe cases.
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.
Norfolk County has no heritage tree program. Brookline designates heritage trees under its tree bylaw. Statewide, MA does not operate a heritage/landmark tree registry.
Norfolk County has no tree replacement rule. MGL c. 87 §7 requires replacement for removed public shade trees. Municipal bylaws in Brookline, Milton require private tree replacement; most other towns do not.
Norfolk County enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.
Norfolk County operates no parks. State DCR properties (Blue Hills, Wollaston Beach) close dusk-to-dawn under 302 CMR 12.00. Municipal parks have town-specific hours, typically dusk or 10 PM closing.
Norfolk County has no garage sale sign rule. Brookline, Quincy, and Weymouth all prohibit signs in public ROW and on utility poles. Signs must be on private property with owner consent.
Norfolk County has no holiday display rule. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth allow residential holiday decorations without permits. Electrical and fire safety codes apply, especially in Brookline's historic districts.
Norfolk County has no political sign rule. Under MGL c. 40 §21(19), MA towns may regulate temporary political signs but cannot impose content-based restrictions. Post-Reed v. Gilbert, most Norfolk County towns removed pre-election time limits.
Norfolk County has coastal frontage in Quincy, Weymouth, and Cohasset. Coastal development is regulated by MA Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Wetlands Protection Act, and Chapter 91 (tidelands law) — not by the county.
Norfolk County does not administer stormwater programs. All Norfolk County towns are EPA MS4 permittees, enforcing stormwater standards under 310 CMR 10.05 (Wetlands) and town stormwater bylaws.
Norfolk County does not regulate grading. Each municipality requires grading permits under 780 CMR building code. Drainage cannot be diverted onto neighboring property under MA common law.
Norfolk County does not enforce erosion control. Each municipality requires erosion and sediment controls on construction sites under local bylaws, the Wetlands Protection Act, and EPA construction general permit.
Norfolk County has significant flood risk from the Neponset River, Weymouth Back River, and coastal areas. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) apply. Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires elevation certificates and flood zone compliance under Massachusetts and NFIP rules.
Norfolk County does not set height limits. Each town's zoning bylaw caps building heights. Residential zones typically allow 35 ft or 2.5 stories. 780 CMR building code enforces construction standards.
Norfolk County does not regulate lot coverage. Each town's zoning bylaw sets maximum coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Residential typically 25-50% coverage. Stormwater rules may apply above thresholds.
Norfolk County does not regulate setbacks. Each town's zoning bylaw sets minimum setbacks under MGL c. 40A (Zoning Act). Norfolk County zoning varies widely — dense Brookline requires only 15 ft fronts; rural Dover requires 40+ ft.
Norfolk County has no vending zone rules. Each town designates approved locations; most restrict food trucks near brick-and-mortar restaurants and schools. Private property requires owner permission plus zoning review.
Norfolk County does not license food trucks. Mobile food vendors need a common victualler license from each town plus a food service permit from the local board of health under 105 CMR 590.
Norfolk County does not handle light trespass complaints. Each town's code enforcement, with common-law nuisance backstop, addresses light trespass. Residential limits typically 0.5-1.0 foot-candles at property line.
Norfolk County does not regulate outdoor lighting. Several towns (Dover, Sherborn, Medfield) have dark-sky bylaws. State-level, MGL c. 40 §21 enables local light pollution control.
Norfolk County does not regulate garage sale property maintenance. Each town enforces property maintenance bylaws and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) to prevent yard sale blight.
Norfolk County does not collect trash. Quincy uses automated single-stream carts with placement rules. Brookline provides DPW collection under Art. 8.18. Weymouth contracts with Republic Services.
Norfolk County does not enforce blight. MA State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410) sets minimum housing standards. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth enforce via BOH and building inspector. MA vacant property registration common.
Norfolk County does not enforce snow clearing. Each municipality requires property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks after snowfall. Brookline: 3 hours daylight / 24 hours night. Quincy: 6 hours. Most: 24-48 hours.
Norfolk County does not enforce vacant lot maintenance. Quincy and Brookline have vacant property registries. Grass/weed limits typically 8-12 inches under each town's BOH rules and 105 CMR 410.600.
Norfolk County has no frequency limit. Most municipalities cap household yard sales at 2-4 per year to prevent ongoing retail activity, which would trigger MGL c. 101 transient vendor regulation.
Norfolk County does not restrict garage sale hours. Municipal rules typically limit sales to 8 AM-6 PM. Sales must not violate local noise bylaws or block traffic.
Norfolk County does not regulate garage sales. Most member municipalities require no permit for residential yard sales. A few towns (Brookline, Milton) require free registration or have signage restrictions.
Norfolk County does not register rentals. Quincy requires annual rental registration and inspection (Ch. 11.16). Brookline requires rental registration under Art. 8.26. Weymouth has no general rental registry.
Norfolk County does not regulate rents. Massachusetts banned local rent control statewide via 1994 Question 9 (MGL c. 40P). No Norfolk County town currently has rent control. Tenant protections remain under MGL c. 186 and c. 239.
Norfolk County has no county-level eviction rules. Massachusetts is a strong tenant-protection state under MGL c. 239 and c. 186. Brookline adopted a local Just Cause Eviction bylaw in 2023 covering buildings with 4+ units.
Massachusetts has no solar-access statute protecting homeowners from HOA/condo bans. Unlike CA or FL, MA condo associations can restrict solar. Brookline and Quincy condo associations commonly regulate rooftop solar.
Norfolk County has no solar permit role. MA protects solar as-of-right under MGL c. 40A §3. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth all use the MA uniform solar permit process and 780 CMR building code.
Norfolk County does not regulate commercial drones. FAA Part 107 certification is required. LAANC authorization needed for much of the county due to Logan airspace.
Norfolk County does not regulate drones. Recreational drone use follows federal FAA Part 107 Exception (49 USC §44809). Individual towns and DCR may restrict drones in parks.
Norfolk County does not zone dispensaries. Each municipality decides host community agreements and zoning under MGL c. 94G §3. Brookline, Quincy, Weymouth, Dedham host dispensaries; several towns (Westwood, Dover, Sherborn) opted out.
Norfolk County does not regulate cannabis. Under MA state law (MGL c. 94G §7), adults 21+ may grow up to 6 plants per person, 12 per household. Plants must be enclosed and not visible from public view.
Norfolk County has no bin placement rule. Each town's DPW regulations or contract terms specify curbside placement time, retrieval deadlines, and storage between pickups.
Norfolk County does not administer recycling. MA has strong state waste bans (310 CMR 19.017) enforced statewide. Single-stream recycling is standard across Norfolk County municipalities.
Norfolk County does not offer bulk pickup. Each municipality runs its own bulk program — some free, others require scheduled appointment or sticker. Mattresses and textiles are banned from disposal statewide.
Norfolk County does not operate trash collection. Each of the 28 municipalities contracts its own waste hauler or runs municipal DPW pickup. Schedules and rules differ significantly town by town.
Norfolk County has no no-knock registry. Several member municipalities (Quincy, Brookline, Dedham, Weymouth) maintain their own no-soliciting lists. Posted no-soliciting signs must be respected by permitted solicitors.
Norfolk County does not issue solicitor permits. Each municipality requires door-to-door commercial solicitors to obtain a local hawker/peddler or solicitor permit under MGL c. 101.
Massachusetts sets a statewide minimum wage of $15.00 per hour under MGL Chapter 151, and generally preempts cities from adopting higher local minimum wages.
Massachusetts provides paid family and medical leave through the PFML program under MGL Chapter 175M, plus paid sick time under the Earned Sick Time Law for most employees.
Massachusetts has no statewide predictive scheduling law, leaving most scheduling rules to standard wage and hour law under MGL Chapter 151 with limited reporting-pay protections.
Massachusetts requires a License to Carry under MGL Chapter 140 Section 131 to carry concealed handguns, with applications processed by local police chiefs subject to suitability review.
Massachusetts grants local police chiefs significant licensing authority over firearms while state law sets uniform standards through MGL Chapter 140 for licensing, sales, and possession statewide.
Massachusetts technically permits open carry with a valid License to Carry, but the practice is rare and discouraged, with municipalities and businesses commonly prohibiting visible firearms.
Massachusetts requires a valid License to Carry under MGL Chapter 140 Section 131 to transport loaded handguns in a vehicle, with strict storage rules applying to long guns and unlicensed possession.
Massachusetts protects agricultural land use through MGL Chapter 40A Section 3, exempting agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture from most local zoning restrictions on parcels of five acres or more.
Massachusetts protects commercial agriculture from nuisance lawsuits under MGL Chapter 111 Section 125A, recognizing farms operating consistent with generally accepted practices as not constituting a nuisance.
Massachusetts has no statewide plastic bag ban or preemption, allowing over 160 cities and towns to enact their own single-use plastic bag prohibitions under home-rule authority.
Massachusetts has not enacted a statewide polystyrene ban, but dozens of cities and towns prohibit foam food containers, and state procurement rules limit foam in agency purchases.
Massachusetts does not regulate plastic straws statewide, but several cities and towns require restaurants to provide straws only on request or use compostable alternatives.
Massachusetts requires purchasers of tobacco and vape products to be at least 21 years of age under MGL Chapter 270 Section 6, predating the 2019 federal Tobacco 21 law.
Massachusetts became the first state to ban all flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes under MGL Chapter 270 Section 6, effective June 2020.
Massachusetts heavily restricts vape retail under MGL Chapter 270 Section 6, banning flavored vape products statewide and limiting nicotine vape sales to licensed adult-only smoking bars.