Massachusetts law prohibits breed-specific legislation. Under MGL c.140 s.157A (2012), no Middlesex County city or town can ban or restrict dogs based on breed. Regulation is behavior-based only.
Since 2012, Massachusetts General Laws c.140 s.157A has prohibited any city or town from regulating dogs based on breed. This overturned earlier bans in Boston and other communities. As a result, no Middlesex County municipality may ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed. All dog regulation in Middlesex County is behavior-based: a dog can only be declared dangerous or nuisance after specific conduct (biting, menacing, killing livestock, etc.) under a formal hearing process conducted by the local hearing officer or select board. MGL c.140 s.157 governs the dangerous dog determination: the hearing officer may order muzzling, confinement, insurance, or in extreme cases euthanasia. Middlesex cities like Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, and Lowell all follow the state framework. Landlords and condo associations are also prohibited from breed-based restrictions in Massachusetts since 2012, though they may still enforce behavior-based rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no operational county government - it was abolished July 11, 1997 under M.G.L. c. 34B - so there is no countywide noise ordinance. Massa...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. Dog licensing required statewide (MGL c.140 §155).
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County has no unified leaf blower ordinance. Regulations are set by individual cities and towns such as Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, and Lexington...
Middlesex County, MA
Middlesex County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight and size limits apply. Overnight storage of heavy trucks prohibited.
Middlesex County, MA
Driveway rules are set by each Middlesex County city or town zoning bylaw. Cambridge, Somerville, Lowell, and Framingham regulate curb cuts, width, paving, a...
Middlesex County, MA
Winter parking bans are the dominant rule across Middlesex County. Most cities prohibit overnight on-street parking from November through April to allow snow...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle breed restrictions.
See how Belmont's breed restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.