Animal Ordinances in Boston, MA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Boston prohibits traditional livestock (cows, pigs, goats, sheep, horses) on residential lots. Only hens and bees are allowed under Urban Agriculture Article 89.
Animals: Livestock
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c.40A § 3 — Agricultural Use Zoning Exemption (5-acre / 2-acre rule)
Section 3. No zoning ordinance or by-law shall regulate or restrict the use of materials, or methods of construction of structures regulated by the state building code, nor shall any such ordinance or by-law prohibit, unreasonably regulate, or require a special permit for the use of land for the primary purpose of commercial agriculture, aquaculture, silviculture, horticulture, floriculture or ...
Dog Leash Laws
Boston 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.
Boston Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsMGL c.140 § 157(c) — Restraint and Confinement of Dangerous Dogs
(c) If the hearing authority deems a dog a dangerous dog, the hearing authority shall order 1 or more of the following: (i) that the dog be humanely restrained; provided, however, that no order shall provide that a dog deemed dangerous be chained, tethered or otherwise tied to an inanimate object including, but not limited to, a tree, post or building; (ii) that the dog be confined to the premi...
Breed Restrictions
Boston runs no breed-specific ban. Under Code § 16-1.9B.2, a dog cannot be deemed dangerous "based upon the breed of the dog," and the Hearing Authority of the Animal Care and Control Unit may not regulate dogs "in a manner that is specific to breed," citing M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 157(c).
Boston Dangerous Dog Breed-Neutral Rule
Few RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-1.9B.2
No dog shall be deemed dangerous: (a) Solely based on growling or barking or solely growling and barking; (b) Based upon the breed of the dog; or (c) If the dog was reacting to another animal or to a person and the dog's reaction was not grossly disproportionate... (4) Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 140, Section 157(c), the Hearing Authority of the Animal Care and Control Unit shall neither issue a...
Beekeeping
Boston lets residents keep honey bees but requires $25 registration with Inspectional Services under Code § 16-1.27, caps hives at five per lot or roof, and sets hive size, setback and placement standards designed to keep bees away from neighbors, sidewalks and windows.
Boston Honey Bee Hive Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-1.27
(C) Registration; fee. (1) Keeping of honey bees shall require registration with the Inspectional Services Department pursuant to the regulations set forth in division (D) below. (2) The application fee shall be $25 dollars. (D) Regulations. (1) The maximum number of hives on any given lot or roof shall be five. (2) No hive shall exceed six feet in height and 24 cubic feet in size on any lot or...
Exotic Pets
Massachusetts prohibits most wild and exotic animals as pets under 321 CMR 9.01. MassWildlife does not issue pet permits. Only species on the exemption list may be kept without a license.
Boston Exotic & Wild Animal Regulations
Heavy Restrictions321 CMR 9.01 — Exemption List (Exotic / Wild Animal Permits)
9.01: Exemption List — Pursuant to the authority granted in M.G.L. c. 131, § 23, herewith is established a list of species which are exempt from the licensing provisions of M.G.L. c. 131, § 23. This list includes wild (i.e., non-domesticated) vertebrate animals which may be imported, sold or possessed without a permit. [...] (3) Categorical Non-exemptions: No species in any of the following cat...
Pet Store Rules
No pet shop in Boston may sell, deliver, barter, auction or otherwise transfer a dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit under Code § 16-1.9G.2. Shops may still host adoption displays for a shelter or rescue, but only if they take no fee and hold no ownership interest in the animals shown.
Boston Pet Shop Cat and Dog Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-1.9G.2
(A) No pet shop shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, broker or otherwise transfer or dispose of a dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit, except that pet shop may provide space for the display of dogs, cats, guinea pigs or rabbits available for adoption by a public animal control agency or shelter or an animal rescue organization so long as the pet shop receives no ...