Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restrict; rural towns like Medfield and Dover allow chickens.
Chicken and livestock rules in Norfolk County are purely municipal. MGL c. 129 §26B governs state-level poultry sales. Under MGL c. 111 §31, local boards of health may regulate animal-keeping as a public health matter. Suburban Norfolk County towns (Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Dedham) generally restrict or require permits for chickens. More rural towns (Medfield, Dover, Sherborn, Walpole, Medway) allow backyard hens with permits, typically 6-12 hens, no roosters, coops with 25-50 ft setbacks from abutters. MGL c. 40 §8L allows towns to adopt Right to Farm bylaws; many Norfolk County towns have done so (Medfield, Walpole, Norfolk, Medway). Larger livestock restricted to agriculturally-zoned parcels.
No county enforcement. Municipal violations: removal order, $50-$500/day nuisance fines under MGL c. 111 §31. Board of health enforcement for sanitary violations.
Norfolk County, MA
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Norfolk County, MA
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Medfield, MA
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Norfolk County, MA
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Norfolk County, MA
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Norfolk County, MA
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See how Medfield's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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