Animal Ordinances in Revere, MA

If you live in Revere or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Revere has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Beekeeping

Revere allows honey bees on residential lots, but caps each property at two colonies, limits any freestanding hive to 20 cubic feet and 5 feet in height, and keeps hives out of front yards and any side yard that abuts a street. Keepers also need a board of health license before setting up an apiary.

Key details: Max colonies per lot: 2 bee colonies. Max hive height: 5 feet. Max freestanding hive size: 20 cubic feet. Front/street-side yards: Hives not permitted. License required: Board of health apiary license.

A beekeeper who exceeds the two-colony limit, builds an oversized or overly tall hive, places bees in a front or street-side yard, or skips the required warning signage is in violation of § 17.16.040 and subject to the penalties in Chapters 1.12 and 1.16 of the Revere Revised Ordinances. The board of health enforces the licensing requirement and can decline to issue or renew a keeping license for noncompliance.

Dog Leash Laws

Revere requires dogs under control at all times (MGL c.140 §157). Dog licensing required through city/town clerk (MGL c.140 §155). Rabies vaccination mandatory.

Key details: Leash: Required in public. License: Annual, city/town clerk. State Law: MGL c.140 §§155, 157. Rabies: Vaccination required.

Dog at large: $25 to $100. Unlicensed dog: $50 to $100 + late fee. Failure to clean up: $25 to $100. Dangerous dog: significant penalties.

Wildlife Feeding

Revere Municipal Code Section 6.03.010 bars feeding, baiting, or leaving food that attracts wild animals or birds anywhere in the city, public or private land alike. Residents told by the city to remove attractants such as trash, grills, pet food, or bird feeders must comply or face fines up to $490 per offense.

Key details: Feeding wild animals/birds: prohibited citywide. Applies to: public and private land. Fine range: $25 to $490 per offense. Attractants covered: trash, pet food, birdseed, grills. Continuing violation: each day a separate offense.

A fine of not less than $25 nor more than $490 applies to each offense under Section 6.03.040, and a violation that continues counts as a separate offense for each day or part of a day it goes on. Inspectional services and animal control enforce the chapter under Section 6.03.030.

This is one of the stricter rules in Revere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Bird Protection

Revere Municipal Code Section 6.03.020 permits feeding songbirds and other backyard birds on private property, but only from an elevated feeder, never by scattering food on the ground, and only if the feeding does not create a nuisance, dropping accumulation, or rodent problem.

Key details: Feeder height: at least 5 feet above ground. Feeders on fences: prohibited. Ground scattering of seed: prohibited. Nuisance droppings: prohibited. Fine: $25 to $490 per offense.

A bird feeder or feeding practice that violates the height, ground-scattering, nuisance, dropping, or rodent-attractant conditions is enforced by inspectional services and animal control under Section 6.03.030 and carries a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $490 per offense under Section 6.03.040, with each continuing day counted as a separate offense.

Chickens & Livestock

Revere Municipal Code Section 6.02.010 bans keeping any chicken, rooster, duck, goose or fowl in the city, with fines of $100 for a first offense and $300 after. Section 6.02.020 carves out one exception: up to six licensed hens per residential lot under the zoning code's Urban Agriculture Ordinance, with roosters banned everywhere.

Key details: Max hens per lot: 6. Roosters: banned citywide. Other poultry (ducks, geese): banned outright. License required from: board of health. Fine for banned poultry: $100 first, $300 after.

Keeping a banned bird (any rooster, duck, goose, or other fowl, or unlicensed chickens) is a $100 fine for a first offense and $300 for each offense after that under Section 6.02.010. Licensed hen-keepers who ignore the siting, coop, or waste rules answer to the board of health, which controls the license and can refuse or pull it for noncompliance.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Revere actively enforces its chickens & livestock requirements.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pets in Massachusetts regulated under 321 CMR 9.01. Most wild animals prohibited without a license; MassWildlife does NOT issue personal pet licenses. Exempt species include hedgehogs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, and certain reptiles.

Key details: State Law: 321 CMR 9.01: exemption list system. Prohibited: Most wild animals without license. No Permits: MassWildlife does not issue pet permits. Exempt: Hedgehogs, chinchillas, sugar gliders, some reptiles.

Unlawfully possessed animals subject to seizure. Criminal penalties under MGL c. 131 Section 23.

This is one of the stricter rules in Revere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Revere is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Revere, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Revere's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.