Backyard chickens are permitted in Lowell in limited numbers with setback requirements; roosters and larger livestock are generally restricted in residential zones.
Lowell allows residents to keep a limited number of hens (typically up to six) on single-family residential lots, with coops required to meet setback rules (commonly 20 feet from property lines and 50 feet from any occupied dwelling other than the owner's). Roosters are generally prohibited due to noise. Coops must be kept clean, predator-proof, and food stored to prevent rodent attraction. Larger livestock (goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, horses) are not permitted in most residential zoning districts without a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and adequate acreage. Massachusetts Right to Farm protections under MGL c.128 s.1A apply to properly registered agricultural operations on two or more acres but do not override local zoning in Lowell's urban setting. Permits are administered by the Board of Health and Inspectional Services.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Lowell, MA
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell enforces nighttime quiet hours that restrict unreasonable noise in residential areas, authorized under MGL c.40 s.21 and enforced by Lowell Police and...
Lowell, MA
Amplified music from homes, vehicles, or outdoor events in Lowell must not be plainly audible beyond 50 feet and is subject to permit rules for public venues.
Lowell, MA
Industrial operations in Lowell must keep noise within Massachusetts DEP guidelines and the local ordinance, with stricter limits at residential property lines.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
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