What is covered in Boston
Grounds at Boston locations range from planters and tree pits on a Back Bay sidewalk to lawns, beds and parking islands at suburban centers. Commercial landscaping in Boston under a Facility First program covers:
- Spring cleanups after snow season, including debris, sand and leaf litter removal
- Mowing, edging and trimming through the growing season
- Bed maintenance, mulching and seasonal color in planters and entrance beds
- Litter pickup and grounds patrol at entrances, parking areas and dumpster enclosures
- Shrub pruning to keep signs, lighting, cameras and sight lines clear
- Fall leaf removal and cutback before winter
- Irrigation checks, coordinated with an irrigation provider where a system is installed
- Weed, insect and turf treatments by licensed applicators where the client approves them
Licensing and permits in Boston
No separate state or City of Boston license for general landscape maintenance could be confirmed on official sources. The licensing that applies is for pesticide use, and City rules govern work on public street trees.
| Requirement | Agency | Level | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicator License (Core) for pesticide work for hire with general use pesticides; the bulletin notes it is typically held by people in lawn care and landscape work | Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Pesticide Program | State | Mass.gov: Pesticide examination and license information bulletin |
| Commercial Certification for restricted use pesticides for hire, with categories including 36 Shade Trees and Ornamentals and 37 Turf | Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Pesticide Program | State | Mass.gov: Pesticide examination and license information bulletin |
| Liability insurance with a pollution exclusion endorsement for licensed and certified applicators (333 CMR 10.13) | Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources | State | Mass.gov: Pesticide examination and license information bulletin |
| Only the Urban Forestry Division and its contractors may prune trees on City sidewalks; removing a healthy street tree requires a public hearing under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 | Boston Parks and Recreation, Urban Forestry Division and Tree Warden | City | Boston.gov: Urban forestry and Tree removal hearing |
Each provider’s pesticide license is confirmed with the Department of Agricultural Resources before treatment work is assigned.
Codes and local rules
Street trees. Street trees in Boston sit in the public right of way and are maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department. Because public shade trees are protected under Chapter 87, a landscaping provider working for a business does not prune or remove them. A pruning concern is reported to the City through 311, a City arborist inspects the tree, and the abutting owner submits a New Tree Request through 311 before a new tree pit is cut. Dead, diseased or hazardous street trees are removed by the City without a hearing.
Public Tree Protection Ordinance. Passed by the City Council on December 13, 2023 and in effect from March 28, 2024, the ordinance expands protection for healthy street trees and trees on City-owned land. It does not cover privately owned trees; the City describes a phased approach, with community engagement before any rules for private property.
Prohibited plants. The Department of Agricultural Resources maintains the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List and adds species over time; in May 2026 it added Japanese angelica tree and sapphire berry, with sales of existing stock phased out over two to three years. Plant selections for new beds are checked against the current list.
Snow on sidewalks. The City requires property owners to clear sidewalks within three hours after snowfall ends (three hours after sunrise for overnight snow), with a path at least 42 inches wide, to clear ramps, hydrants and storm drains, and not to push snow into the street. Where a landscaping provider also handles winter work, that duty sits under the site’s snow and ice management program.
Preventive maintenance schedule for landscaping and grounds maintenance
Grounds that slip behind schedule show it within weeks: overgrown beds, litter around entrances and dumpsters, and blocked sight lines at doors and cameras. Planned visits keep each site to the client standard through Boston’s growing season, limit storm damage and give each location a dated record of every visit.
| Task | Recommended frequency | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Mow turf, removing no more than one-third of the blade per cut | Weekly during active growth, more often in peak spring growth | University of Maryland Extension |
| Sharpen mower blades | At the start of the season and every 4 to 6 weeks after | University of Maryland Extension |
| Litter pickup at entrances, parking areas and dumpster enclosures | Every visit | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Edge, trim and weed beds and hard surfaces | Every visit during the growing season | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Apply mulch around trees and beds (approximately three inches) | Annually | U.S. EPA WaterSense |
| Inspect irrigation for leaks, pooling and runoff | Monthly during the irrigation season | Practice: U.S. EPA WaterSense; interval is Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Full irrigation system audit | Every three years | U.S. EPA WaterSense |
| Spring cleanup after snow season and fall leaf removal | Twice a year | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Prune shrubs on the client’s property to keep signs, lights and cameras clear | At least twice a year | Facility First program default, adjusted per site |
| Note street tree hazards and report them to the City through 311 | Every visit, as found | City of Boston Urban Forestry |
The authority having jurisdiction, the manufacturer and the property’s insurer can require more frequent service, and each location’s schedule is set in its program and recorded on every visit.
Seasonal and local conditions
- Short growing season. Boston winters bring snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles, so landscape work is concentrated between the spring cleanup and the fall leaf season, with visit frequency reduced in the dormant months.
- Spring cleanup. Snow piles leave sand, debris and litter in beds and lawn edges. The first visit of the year clears these before mowing starts.
- Tree planting windows. The City plants street trees in spring (April to June) and fall (October to December), which is also when new plantings on private grounds are usually scheduled.
- Rodents. The City’s pest guidance calls for clean yards and cut grass. Grounds crews keep dumpster enclosures and planting beds clear of litter that feeds rodents, which supports the site’s pest control program.
Where Facility First works in Boston
Facility First manages landscaping for locations across Boston’s main retail and business areas, including Newbury Street in Back Bay, Boylston Street, Copley Place and the Prudential Center, the Seaport District and Downtown Crossing, as well as nearby centers such as Chestnut Hill and the Natick Mall. In the city, grounds work is often planters, window boxes, courtyards and tree pit beds around street-level retail and restaurants. At suburban centers and office parks it extends to lawns, parking islands and entrance beds. Typical clients are retail and luxury retail, restaurants, corporate offices and shopping centers.
How landscaping requests are handled
- Request. Scheduled visits are set in the program; one-off requests such as storm cleanup are submitted through the platform or by phone, with photos.
- Triage. Facility First confirms scope, priority, landlord or center rules and whether any tree involved is on private or City property.
- Dispatch. A vetted Boston landscaping provider receives the work order, with treatment work assigned only to licensed applicators.
- Photo close-out. The provider documents each visit with before and after photos and notes on any treatment applied.
- Verification and invoice. The work is checked against the request and invoiced in one format, with the record stored against the location.
Scheduled visits proceed within the approval limits the client sets. Planting projects, hardscape repairs and anything above a limit are quoted for approval first.
Security by McCray in Boston
Where storm damage leaves a fence, gate or entrance open, McCray can post an officer until the work is complete. Security services in Boston
Frequently asked questions
Does a landscaping company need a license in Massachusetts?
No separate state license for general landscape maintenance was found on official sources. Applying pesticides for hire, including weed and insect treatments, requires a license from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Can a landscaper prune the street tree in front of a Boston store?
No. Under Chapter 87, only the City’s Urban Forestry Division and its contractors may prune trees on City sidewalks. Pruning concerns are reported through 311.
What happens if a street tree must be removed for a Boston project?
Removing a healthy street tree requires a public hearing run by the City’s Tree Warden. The proponent pays for the removal and a replacement fee set by the City.
How often should commercial landscaping be scheduled in Boston?
Most sites need weekly visits during active growth, with spring and fall cleanups and reduced visits in winter. EPA WaterSense guidance adds annual mulching and an irrigation audit every three years.
Can snow clearing be part of the same program?
Yes. Snow and ice management can run under the same program, and the City requires sidewalks to be cleared within three hours after snowfall ends.
Sources
- Mass.gov: Pesticide Examination and License Information Bulletin
- City of Boston: Caring for Boston’s urban forest
- City of Boston: How to request a tree removal hearing
- City of Boston: Mayor Wu signs Public Tree Protection Ordinance
- Mass.gov: Notice of additions to the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (May 2026)
- City of Boston: Snow and winter rules
- City of Boston: Pest management
- University of Maryland Extension: Mowing or Grasscycling, Lawns
- U.S. EPA WaterSense: Operations and Maintenance Water Waste Checklist for Commercial and Institutional Facilities
Checked November 2026; recheck before publishing.