Massachusetts Idle Reduction Laws and Incentives
State Laws and Regulations
Idle Reduction Requirement
A motor vehicle is not allowed to idle unnecessarily in excess of five minutes. This regulation does not apply under the following conditions: 1) vehicles being serviced, provided that operation of the engine is essential to the repair; 2) vehicles delivering or accepting goods or merchandise for which engine assisted power is necessary and substitute alternate power cannot be made available; or 3) vehicles requiring auxiliary power for an associate power need other than movement that cannot be substituted by an alternate power source provided that such operation does not cause or contribute to air pollution. Violators of this regulation are subject to a fine of up to $100 for the first offense, and up to $500 for each succeeding offense. Local boards of health, local police, and state and federal officials are authorized to enforce the state anti-idling law; the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enforces its own regulations. (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 16A, and DEP Regulations 310 CMR 7.11(1)(b))
