Animal Ordinances in Cambridge, MA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Cambridge, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cambridge prohibits traditional livestock (cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, horses) in all zoning districts; only urban hens and bees are allowed as agricultural animals.
Cambridge Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 40A, § 3 (Zoning Exemptions — Commercial Agriculture)
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
Cambridge bars dogs from running at large off their owner's property, and any dog off the owner's or a consenting neighbor's premises must be controlled on a chain, rope or cord no longer than six feet. Loose dogs are impounded, and owners face a twenty-five-dollar fine plus every cost of confinement.
Cambridge Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsCambridge Municipal Code § 6.04.030
No person owning or keeping a dog shall permit it to be at large other than on his or her own premises; if it be on the premises of another person, it shall be with the knowledge and permission of such other person. The owner, keeper or person having custody of a dog which is not on the premises of the owner or upon the premises of another person with the knowledge and permission of such person...
Breed Restrictions
Cambridge does not impose breed-specific restrictions; Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140 Section 157A prohibits cities from regulating dogs based on breed.
Cambridge Dog Breed Rules
Few RestrictionsMGL Chapter 140, Section 157A
Section 157A: Non-compliance of dog owner or keeper with order; transferring ownership or selling of dangerous dog Section 157A. (a) An owner or keeper of a dog who fails to comply with an order of a hearing authority or district court shall be punished, for a first offense, by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 60 days in a jail or house of correction, or both, and...
Beekeeping
Cambridge allows backyard beekeeping as a zoning accessory use, but keepers need a Cambridge Public Health Department permit, hives are capped at 20 cubic feet and 6 feet tall, and hives near streets, schools or shared porches need posted warning signs.
Cambridge Beekeeping Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsCambridge Zoning Ordinance §§ 23.41-23.43 (Standards for Beekeeping), Supp. No. 6
Beekeeping is allowed as an accessory use pursuant to Article 4.000 of this Zoning Ordinance, according to the standards herein. A permit must be obtained from the Cambridge Public Health Department for all keeping of bee colonies, and permit-holders must be in compliance with all local public health regulations and state public health laws pertaining to beekeeping. A free-standing beehive shal...
Pet Store Rules
Cambridge pet shops cannot sell commercially-bred dogs, cats or other animals; Municipal Code § 6.20.020 lets them offer only animals sourced from an animal care facility, a rescue nonprofit, or listed agricultural and breeder-carcass exceptions. Selling animals curbside or at flea markets is separately banned citywide under § 6.20.030.
Cambridge Pet Shop Retail Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCambridge Municipal Code § 6.20.020
A.A pet shop may offer for sale only those arachnids, birds, mammals, amphibians, or reptiles that the pet shop has obtained from or displays in cooperation with:1.An animal care facility, as defined in section 6.20.010 of this chapter; or2.An animal rescue organization, as defined in section 6.20.010 of this chapter; or3.An animal sold or displayed for agricultural uses; or4.Dead animals sold ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Cambridge's Zoning Ordinance treats a vet clinic as an "Animal Services Facility," a category of Retail or Consumer Service Establishment. Section 4.30's Table of Use Regulations bars it outright in the Open Space district and every Residence district, and allows it only by special permit from the Board of Zoning Appeal in the city's Business, Office and Industrial districts.
Cambridge Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsCambridge Zoning Ordinance §§ 4.12, 4.30 (Table of Use Regulations, Item l, Animal Services Facility) & 4.40, Footnote 29
4.12 A use listed in Section 4.30 is permitted as of right in any district under which it is denoted by the word "YES"... Uses denoted by the word "NO" in Section 4.30 shall be prohibited... l. Animal Services Facility No No SP12,29 SP29 SP29 SP SP SP ... 29. Provided that, in Business and Office Districts, all animals are kept indoors and that no noise or odors are perceptible from adjoi...