Somerville permits a limited number of backyard hens by permit with strict coop setbacks and no roosters, reflecting the city's dense urban fabric and small lot sizes.
Somerville allows backyard hens under a permit issued by the Inspectional Services Division and the Board of Health, consistent with the city's progressive urban agriculture policy but tempered by dense residential conditions. Typical permit conditions limit households to six hens, prohibit roosters, require a predator-proof coop with at least 10 feet of setback from any property line and 25 feet from any dwelling other than the owner's, and mandate regular manure management to prevent odor and rodent issues. Slaughter on residential property is prohibited. Applications require site plans, neighbor notice, and an inspection. Other livestock such as goats, pigs, sheep, and cattle are not permitted on residential lots because Somerville's zoning does not include agricultural districts. Under MGL Chapter 128 Section 31A, beekeeping is separately registered with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Somerville, MA
Somerville restricts amplified music through its noise ordinance and entertainment licensing, with plainly-audible standards at property lines and stricter c...
Somerville, MA
Somerville limits construction noise to daytime and early-evening weekday hours with shorter Saturday windows and a full Sunday and holiday prohibition, refl...
Somerville, MA
Overnight street parking in Somerville requires a resident permit citywide. Snow emergencies trigger odd-even or posted-side bans.
Somerville, MA
Commercial vehicles over 2.5 tons cannot park overnight on Somerville residential streets. Loading zones are time-limited and signed by block.
Somerville, MA
Most Somerville streets are resident-permit zones. Non-residents are limited to 2 hours on posted blocks from 8 AM to 8 PM daily including weekends.
Somerville, MA
Somerville requires a building permit for most fence installations, with historic districts adding a Historic Preservation Commission review step for visible...
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