Chelsea, MA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Section 4-10 of the Chelsea Code of Ordinances regulates the keeping, feeding, breeding and harboring of pigeons and defined 'wild birds,' which the section limits to starlings, English sparrows and seagulls. It is unlawful for anyone to willfully and intentionally feed pigeons or wild birds on any public property, including city streets, parks and sidewalks, or on any property to which the public has a right of access. Feeding on private property is also prohibited if it creates a nuisance or threatens public health; a bird feeder on private property is exempt only so long as it is not creating a nuisance, and the code specifically forbids using any feeder to feed pigeons or seagulls at any time.

The section separately bans transporting, selling, owning or keeping a live pigeon or wild bird within public property or a residential zoning district, though a caged pigeon may be transported through a residential district without violating the section. Anyone who wants to keep, breed, raise or harbor pigeons or wild birds must first obtain a permit from the city's board of health and house the birds in a 'pigeon loft' as defined by board regulations; the board of health administers the permitting process and can revoke or suspend a permit for any cause it deems sufficient. The board of health and the inspectional services department jointly enforce section 4-10.