Worcester, MA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Worcester County does not regulate chickens or livestock — rules are entirely municipal because county government was abolished in 1998. The City of Worcester allows backyard chickens under a Board of Health permit, with a limit of up to 6 hens (no roosters), coops set back 25 feet from abutting property lines, and sanitary maintenance requirements; permits must be renewed annually. Worcester Revised Ordinances Chapter 9 authorizes the Board of Health to enforce nuisance and odor violations. Suburban communities including Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Grafton, Holden, and Auburn generally allow 4-8 hens with setback requirements (25-50 feet). Rural Worcester County towns including Hardwick, Petersham, Barre, Royalston, Athol, Phillipston, Brookfield, Warren, and Charlton (the 'Quabbin region') are far more permissive, often allowing hens, roosters, goats, and small livestock by right under their agricultural zoning. MGL c. 40A §3 (the Dover Amendment) protects commercial agriculture on parcels of 5+ acres (or 2 acres grossing $1,000+ annually) from most zoning restrictions. Many Worcester County towns have adopted Right to Farm bylaws under MGL c. 111 §125A. MGL c. 129 §26B governs sale and transport of poultry, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources inspects apiaries and poultry flocks.