Every town writes its own rules, and Brookline's live in its municipal code — 134 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.
Ask Brookline's code a questionWhat's in the Brookline code
- Ch Z — Zoning (§ 1.00 – § 10.05)
- Ch 1.1 — General Provisions (Section 1.1.1 – Section 1.1.4)
- Ch 1.2 — Town Seal (Section 1.2.1)
- Ch 1.3 — Town Flag (Section 1.3.1)
- Ch 2.1 — Town Meetings (Section 2.1.1 – Section 2.1.15)
- Ch 2.2 — Advisory Committee (Section 2.2.1 – Section 2.2.7)
- Ch 2.3 — Committee on Town Organization and Structure (Section 2.3.1 – Section 2.3.4)
- Ch 2.4 — Moderator (Section 2.4.1 – Section 2.4.3)
- Ch 2.5 — Reports (Section 2.5.1 – Section 2.5.4)
- Ch 3.0 — Executive Branch General Matters (Section 3.0.1)
- Ch 3.1 — Select Board (Section 3.1.1 – Section 3.1.7)
- Ch 3.2 — School Committee (Section 3.2.1)
- Ch 3.3 — Town Administrator (Section 3.3.1)
- Ch 3.4A — Town Clerk (Section 3.4A.1 – Section 3.4A.6)
- Ch 3.4B — Constables (Section 3.4B.1 – Section 3.4B.4)
- Ch 3.5 — Audit Committee (Section 3.5.1 – Section 3.5.3)
- Ch 3.6 — Board of Appeals (Section 3.6.1 – Section 3.6.2)
- Ch 3.7 — Building Commission; Procedure for Construction and Alteration of Town Buildings and Structures (Section 3.7.1 – Section 3.7.4)
- Ch 3.8 — Building Department (Section 3.8.1 – Section 3.8.2)
- Ch 3.9 — Brookline Commission for Women (Section 3.9.1 – Section 3.9.6)
- Ch 3.10 — Council on Aging (Section 3.10.1 – Section 3.10.7)
- Ch 3.11A — Department of Finance (Section 3.11A.1)
- Ch 3.11B — Information Technology Department (Section 3.11B.1 – Section 3.11B.5)
- Ch 3.12 — Department of Planning and Community Development (Section 3.12.1 – Section 3.12.11)
- Ch 3.12A — Office of Housing Stability (§ 3.12A-1 – § 3.12A-2)
- Ch 3.13 — Housing Advisory Board (Section 3.13.1 – Section 3.13.5)
- Ch 3.14 — Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations and Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations (Section 3.14.1 – Section 3.14.10)
- Ch 3.15 — Human Resources Program, Board and Office (Section 3.15.1 – Section 3.15.11)
- Ch 3.16 — Park and Recreation Commission (Section 3.16.1 – Section 3.16.3)
- Ch 3.17 — Public Works, Department Organization (Section 3.17.1 – Section 3.17.2)
- Ch 3.18 — Sealer of Weights and Measures (Section 3.18.1 – Section 3.18.3)
- Ch 3.20 — Mandatory Educational Training for All Elected and Appointed Officials (Section 3.20.1 – Section 3.20.4)
- Ch 3.21 — Readily Accessible Electronic Meeting Notices, Agendas and Records (Section 3.21.1 – Section 3.21.6)
- Ch 3.22 — Public's Right to Be Heard on Warrant Articles (Section 3.22.1 – Section 3.22.2)
- Ch 3.23 — Brookline Commission on Disability (Section 3.23.1 – Section 3.23.6)
- Ch 3.24 — Brookline Community Engagement Plan (Section 3.24.1 – Section 3.24.6)
- Ch 3.25 — Community Preservation Act Committee (Section 3.25.1 – Section 3.25.6)
- Ch 3.26 — Provision of Language Access Services (Section 3.26.1 – Section 3.26.6)
- Ch 4.1 — Accounts and Audits (Section 4.1.1 – Section 4.1.3)
- Ch 4.2 — Annual Reports (Section 4.2.1 – Section 4.2.12)
- Ch 4.3 — Contracts: Prohibited Action (Section 4.3.1 – Section 4.3.5)
- Ch 4.4 — Fair Employment Practices With Regard to Contracts (Section 4.4.1 – Section 4.4.3)
- Ch 4.5 — Discrimination Prohibition With Regard to Contracts (Section 4.5.1 – Section 4.5.3)
- Ch 4.6 — Public Relations and Information (Section 4.6.1)
- Ch 4.7 — Nonpayment of Local Taxes, Fees and Charges (Section 4.7.1 – Section 4.7.2)
- Ch 4.8 — Living Wage By-Law (Section 4.8.1 – Section 4.8.7)
- Ch 4.9 — Election Campaigns (Section 4.9.1 – Section 4.9.6)
- Ch 4.10 — Emergency, Disaster and Stimulus Funds (Section 4.10.1 – Section 4.10.5)
- Ch 5.1 — Alarm Systems (Section 5.1.1 – Section 5.1.10)
- Ch 5.2 — Condominium Health and Safety at Time of Conversion (Section 5.2.1 – Section 5.2.5)
- Ch 5.3 — Demolition Delay By-Law (Section 5.3.1 – Section 5.3.17)
- Ch 5.4 — Commercial and Institutional Deliveries (Section 5.4.1 – Section 5.4.2)
- Ch 5.5 — Fair Housing By-Law (Section 5.5.1 – Section 5.5.9)
- Ch 5.6 — Preservation Commission and Historic Districts By-Law (Section 5.6.1 – Section 5.6.10)
- Ch 5.7 — Licenses (Section 5.7.1 – Section 5.7.3)
- Ch 5.8 — Sign By-Law (Section 5.8.1 – Section 5.8.7)
- Ch 5.9 — Energy Codes (Section 5.9.1 – Section 5.9.2)
- Ch 5.10 — Neighborhood Conservation Districts (Section 5.10.1 – Section 5.10.11)
- Ch 5.11 — Short-Term Rentals (Section 5.11.1 – Section 5.11.11)
- Ch 6.1 — Advertising Placards (Section 6.1.1)
- Ch 6.2 — Alcoholic Beverages on Public Property (Section 6.2.1 – Section 6.2.5)
- Ch 6.3 — Damage to Grass Borders (Section 6.3.1)
- Ch 6.4 — Damage to Trees (Section 6.4.1)
- Ch 6.5 — Defacing Public Grounds (Section 6.5.1 – Section 6.5.3)
- Ch 6.6 — Discharging Firearms (Section 6.6.1 – Section 6.6.2)
- Ch 6.7 — Fireworks (Section 6.7.1)
- Ch 6.8 — Naming Public Facilities (Section 6.8.1 – Section 6.8.2)
- Ch 6.9 — Numbering Houses (Section 6.9.1)
- Ch 6.10 — Removing Vehicles in Parks and Private Ways (Section 6.10.1 – Section 6.10.5)
- Ch 7.1 — Alcoholic Beverages (Section 7.1.1)
- Ch 7.2 — Bands, Parades and Gatherings (Section 7.2.1 – Section 7.2.3)
- Ch 7.3 — Construction in Streets (Section 7.3.1 – Section 7.3.3)
- Ch 7.4 — Damage to Streets (Section 7.4.1)
- Ch 7.5 — General Prohibitions (Section 7.5.1 – Section 7.5.21)
- Ch 7.6 — Newsracks Regulations (Section 7.6.1 – Section 7.6.6)
- Ch 7.7 — Removal of Snow and Ice From Sidewalks (Section 7.7.1 – Section 7.7.7)
- Ch 7.8 — Removal of Vehicles From Streets (Section 7.8.1 – Section 7.8.2)
- Ch 7.9 — Snow Parking Ban (Section 7.9.1 – Section 7.9.2)
- Ch 7.10 — Through Ways (Section 7.10.1 – Section 7.10.2)
- Ch 7.11 — Vehicles, Abandoned and Improper Storage (Section 7.11.1 – Section 7.11.3)
- Ch 8.1 — Alcoholic Beverages (Section 8.1.1)
- Ch 8.2 — Bonfires (Section 8.2.1)
- Ch 8.3 — Dwelling Houses Used in Common (Section 8.3.1 – Section 8.3.7)
- Ch 8.4 — Disturbing Public Safety AIDS (Section 8.4.1)
- Ch 8.4A — Tenant and Resident Notification (Section 8.4A.1)
- Ch 8.5 — Disorderly Behavior and Disturbing the Peace (Section 8.5.1 – Section 8.5.9)
- Ch 8.6 — Dog Control (Section 8.6.1 – Section 8.6.11)
- Ch 8.6A — Humane Pet Shops (Section 8.6A.1 – Section 8.6A.5)
- Ch 8.6B — Traveling Animal Acts (Section 8.6B.0 – Section 8.6B.6)
- Ch 8.7 — Food Stores: Hours of Operation (Section 8.7.1 – Section 8.7.5)
- Ch 8.8 — Food Establishments Handling of Refuse (Section 8.8.1 – Section 8.8.2)
- Ch 8.9 — Toilet Facilities: Restaurants (Section 8.9.1 – Section 8.9.2)
- Ch 8.10 — Food Vendor's License (Section 8.10.1 – Section 8.10.8)
- Ch 8.11 — Gaming Implements (Section 8.11.1)
- Ch 8.12 — Hawkers and Peddlers (Section 8.12.1 – Section 8.12.10)
- Ch 8.13 — Inflammable Material (Section 8.13.1)
- Ch 8.14 — Dealers in Junk, Secondhand Articles and Antiques (Section 8.14.1 – Section 8.14.3)
- Ch 8.15 — Noise Control (Section 8.15.1 – Section 8.15.10)
- Ch 8.16 — Collection and Recycling of Waste Materials (Section 8.16.1 – Section 8.16.7)
- Ch 8.17 — Focused Residence Picketing (Section 8.17.1)
- Ch 8.18 — Posters and Circulars (Section 8.18.1 – Section 8.18.2)
- Ch 8.19 — Selling in a Public Place (Section 8.19.1)
- Ch 8.20 — Sales in Public Places (Section 8.20.1)
- Ch 8.21 — Solicitors and Canvassers (Section 8.21.1 – Section 8.21.5)
- Ch 8.22 — Taxicab Licensing (Section 8.22.1 – Section 8.22.2)
- Ch 8.23 — Tobacco Control (Section 8.23.1 – Section 8.23.7)
- Ch 8.24 — Water Supply Emergencies (Section 8.24.1 – Section 8.24.6)
- Ch 8.25 — Water System Backflow and Cross-Connections (Section 8.25.1 – Section 8.25.6)
- Ch 8.26 — Stormwater Management (Section 8.26.1 – Section 8.26.3)
- Ch 8.27 — Wetlands Protection By-Law (Section 8.27.1 – Section 8.27.15)
- Ch 8.28 — Restriction on Use of Artificial Trans Fat (Section 8.28.1 – Section 8.28.3)
- Ch 8.29 — Nuisance Control (Section 8.29.1 – Section 8.29.8)
- Ch 8.30 — Fingerprint-Based Record Background Checks (Section 8.30.1 – Section 8.30.6)
- Ch 8.31 — Leaf Blower Control (Section 8.31.1 – Section 8.31.9)
- Ch 8.32 — Sustainable Food Containers and Packaging (Section 8.32.1 – Section 8.32.6)
- Ch 8.33 — Sustainable Bags (Section 8.33.1 – Section 8.33.4)
- Ch 8.34 — Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD) Licenses (Section 8.34.1 – Section 8.34.5)
- Ch 8.35 — Drinking Water Access By-Law (Section 8.35.1 – Section 8.35.3)
- Ch 8.36 — Bottled Water By-Law (Section 8.36.1 – Section 8.36.4)
- Ch 8.37 — Marijuana Establishments (Section 8.37.1 – Section 8.37.7)
- Ch 8.38 — Marijuana and Hemp and Marijuana and Hemp Products (Section 8.38.1 – Section 8.38.4)
- Ch 8.39 — Reproductive and Gender Health Access and Equity (Section 8.39.1 – Section 8.39.6)
- Ch 8.39A — Ban on Town Use of Face Surveillance (Section 8.39A.1 – Section 8.39A.4)
- Ch 8.40 — Trade in Fur Products (Section 8.40.1 – Section 8.40.7)
- Ch 8.40A — Single-Use Plastic Products (Section 8.40A.1 – Section 8.40A.5)
- Ch 8.41 — Human Trafficking Prevention (§ 8.41-1 – § 8.41-6)
- Ch 8.42 — Tree Preservation By-Law (Section 8.42.1 – Section 8.42.7)
- Ch 8.45 — Sale of Foie Gras (Section 8.45.1 – Section 8.45.7)
- Ch 8.46 — Communication of Tenants' Rights and Resources (Section 8.46.1 – Section 8.46.6)
- Ch 9.1 — Domestic Partners (Section 9.1.1 – Section 9.1.7)
- Ch 10.1 — General Penalty Provision (Section 10.1.1)
- Ch 10.2 — Prosecutions and Enforcement (Section 10.2.1)
- Ch 10.3 — Non-Criminal Disposition (Section 10.3.1)
- Ch DL — Disposition List (§ DL-1)