Larger livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and cattle are generally prohibited on standard residential lots in Lowell without a Zoning Board special permit.
Lowell is a dense urban city, and its zoning code treats livestock other than chickens as an agricultural use not allowed by right in standard residential districts. Goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and cattle require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and typically need two or more acres with adequate barn facilities, manure management, and setbacks of 100 feet or more from dwellings. Massachusetts Right-to-Farm law under MGL c.128 s.1A protects existing commercial agricultural operations registered at the state level but does not create a right to start livestock on urban residential lots. The Board of Health regulates sanitation (manure storage, odor, vector control). Miniature potbellied pigs are sometimes classified as companion animals rather than livestock but still require Board of Health review. Unauthorized livestock can be ordered removed with fines up to 300 dollars per day.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
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 Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
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