Fall River, MA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Kennel license trigger
- More than 4 dogs, 3+ months old
- Maximum kennel size
- 25 dogs total
- Licensing authority
- City Clerk, after ACO inspection
- Enforcement
- City Council can revoke license
Summary
Keeping more than four dogs three months or older on one property makes it a City-licensed kennel in Fall River, Massachusetts, and even licensed kennels are capped at 25 dogs total.
All kennels shall be limited to a total of 25 dogs to be maintained on said premises. It shall be a violation of this chapter to have any dogs on the premises over the above said number.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Fall River's animal ordinance doesn't cap pets outright, but it defines a KENNEL as any single premises keeping more than four dogs over three months old, whatever the purpose: hitting five triggers a mandatory kennel license from the City Clerk, an inspection by the animal control officer and animal health inspector, and a fee set in the City's fee schedule. Even licensed kennels max out at 25 dogs total; going over that number is a separate violation, and the City Council can revoke or suspend a kennel license after a public hearing on complaints like excessive barking.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an unlicensed kennel (5+ dogs) or exceeding 25 dogs at a licensed kennel is a violation under § 6-12, with the City Council able to revoke or suspend the license after a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I own in Fall River without a license?
Is there a hard cap on pets in Fall River?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
Compare Fall River to another location·View the Massachusetts animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle pet limits.