Arlington’s Fossil Fuel-Free Bylaw (FFF Bylaw) will take effect on May 21, 2024. The FFF Bylaw prohibits the installation of fossil fuel infrastructure and equipment in new construction and major renovations in Arlington, and requires that these projects use electricity instead of burning fossil fuels. This will reduce the Town’s overall production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—the pollutants that cause climate change. The FFF Bylaw is consistent with Town and State commitments to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050.  

“This marks an important milestone in the Town’s journey to net zero,” said Jim Feeney, Arlington Town Manager. “Community members have been working for years to enable Arlington’s leadership on fossil fuel-free buildings. We are excited that our experience throughout this pilot program will support continued learning across the state and the country.”  

Arlington Special Town Meeting adopted the FFF Bylaw in Fall 2023, enabling Arlington’s acceptance into the Municipal Fossil Fuel-Free Building Demonstration Program (Demonstration Program) administered by the MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER). DOER officially accepted Arlington into the Demonstration Program in February 2024. Arlington will join eight other communities: Acton, Aquinnah, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, and Newton.   

The FFF Bylaw prohibits the installation of fossil fuel infrastructure and equipment in new construction (including accessory buildings) and major renovations of more than half of the building, although the bylaw was recently amended at 2024 Annual Town Meeting to include a small number of large additions and changes of use. A fact sheet on Article 11 is available here. Once approved by the Attorney General, these changes will be retroactive to the May 21 effective date.  

The FFF Bylaw specifies a 90-day phase-in period following DOER approval. During this time, the Town held a Builders’ Forum on April 10 to educate members of the construction and development community about the requirements.  The Town also released a fact sheet on the FFF Bylaw / Demonstration Program and informational recording with an accompanying slide deck on these requirements.  

Contractors and building owners are encouraged to contact the Inspectional Services Department with questions regarding the enforcement of the FFF Bylaw. More information on the Demonstration Program, as well as resources and rebates for electrification, is available on the Town’s joint website with Acton and Lexington: bit.ly/fffenergy