Landscape Maintenance Equipment Bylaw FAQ

What hours of the day can I use landscaping maintenance equipment?

Residents

• Weekdays, 7 AM to 8 PM
• Weekends and legal holidays, 9 AM to 5 PM

Landscapers

• Weekdays, 7 AM to 6 PM
• Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM

These hours apply to both electric and gas-powered equipment, including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, weed whackers, leaf blowers, and other equipment used in landscaping or lawn care.

During what parts of the year can I use gas-powered leaf blowers?

Gas-powered leaf blower use by any user is limited to the following designated fall and spring cleanup periods:

• Spring: March 15 to May 31
• Fall: September 15 to December 30

When will gas-powered blowers be fully phased out in Lexington?

• Effective March 15, 2025, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by commercial landscapers will not be allowed. An exemption allows the continued use of wheeled leaf blowers powered by four-stroke engines on lots larger than 1 acre.
• Effective March 15, 2026, the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by residents will not be allowed.

Who oversees the enforcement of these regulations?

The Police Department is the primary enforcement authority for this bylaw. To submit a complaint, please call the non-emergency phone line at 781-862-1212. It is best if the call is made while the violation is taking place, rather than waiting, so there is an opportunity for Police to speak with those in violation. The Fire, Heath, and Inspectional Services Departments, or any designee of these departments, also have the authority to enforce the bylaw.

How will the Police Department handle violations?

The Police Department is committed to an education-first approach to enforce these regulations but has the authority to fine repeat offenders if necessary. All complaints will be responded to in a non-emergency fashion, with no lights and no sirens. 

Upon receiving a complaint, and assuming there is not a more pressing public safety concern at the moment, an officer will visit the site of the complaint. If the person or company alleged to have violated the regulation is still present, the officer will discuss the bylaw violation in an effort to gain future compliance. The officer will hand out printed information (available in multiple languages) so the information can be relayed to other members of the household or other employees of the landscaping company. In the event contact is only made with a landscaping company, the officer will also attempt to make contact with the homeowner and discuss the bylaw violation. The officer will leave printed information about the bylaw at the house if no contact is made. 

The Police Department will document all complaints and responses as incident notes in their public log. 

Who will be fined?

Any person who violates the bylaw or who is the owner of property where a violation occurs can be fined. The Police intend to take an education-first approach to enforcement, but if the Police Department finds they have made a sufficient effort to educate the violator, and the violator continues to disregard the bylaw, fines may be issued. We will be leaning heavily on our businesses and residents to educate themselves and the companies they hire to follow the noise bylaws. The property owner will likely be the recipient of the fine(s). 

How much will violators be fined?

Violators may be fined up to $50 for the first violation, up to $100 for the second violation, and up to $200 for the third and each subsequent violation. Fines shall be issued in accordance with Chapter 1, § 1-6 of the General Bylaws. The payment of a fine shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.

Do I have to give my name and address if I call the Police station to report a bylaw violation?  

It would be helpful if there is a need to follow up; however it is not necessary. 

When did these regulations go into effect?

Article 10 of Special Town Meeting 2021 (“Reducing Noise from Landscape Maintenance Equipment”) was passed by Town Meeting on November 18, 2021. It was affirmed by Lexington residents in a referendum vote on March 7, 2022. The article was approved by the Attorney General and went into effect on June 14, 2022.