Animal Ordinances in Chicopee, MA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Chicopee, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 144-11 bans keeping swine except for immediate slaughtering, and § 144-12 bars keeping fowl except where Board of Health rules allow it. Horses and ponies need a City Council special permit under § 275-46, starting at 1 1/2 acres for one equine.
Chickens, Swine and Livestock Rules in Chicopee, MA
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 144-11 to 144-13, 275-46
§ 144-11. Keeping of swine. No swine shall be kept or maintained within the limits of the City, except for the purpose of immediate slaughtering. § 144-12. Keeping of fowl. No fowl shall be kept or maintained within the limits of the City except where allowed by rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Health. § 144-13. Animals at-large or depasturing in streets. No person shall permit...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 144-4 requires all dogs to be kept under restraint, which § 144-1 defines as a leash not more than six feet long unless the dog is in a fenced-in area or pen. A citation costs $25 for a first offense and $50 for later ones.
Dog Leash and Restraint Rules in Chicopee, MA
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 144-1, 144-4, 144-5
RESTRAINT Dogs must be on a leash not more than six feet long, except when the dog is confined in a fenced-in area or pen. ... A. All dogs shall be kept under restraint, as defined in this chapter. ... D. Every vicious animal, as determined by the City after a hearing, shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure and shall be securely muzzled or caged whenever off the pr...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, the Board of Health decides after a public special hearing whether a dog is a nuisance or dangerous dog, and § 144-23(B) bars a declaration based upon the breed of the dog. Orders range from restraint and confinement to sterilization, euthanasia or banning the dog from the City.
Chicopee Dangerous Dog Rules: No Breed-Based Label
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 144-23
A. Any person may file a complaint, in writing, to the Board of Health or its designee that a dog owned or kept in the City is a nuisance or dangerous dog. ... At this special hearing, the Board of Health will determine whether to declare such dog a nuisance dog or dangerous dog based upon the facts presented. ... B. No dog shall be declared a nuisance or dangerous dog: (1) Solely based upon gr...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 144-9 says the keeping of wild animals must meet all requirements of state and federal laws and fish and wildlife laws. Chapter 144 defines an animal as any creature, domestic or wild, and violations carry fines of not less than $10 and not more than $300.
Wild Animal Keeping Rules in Chicopee, MA
Light RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 144-1, 144-7, 144-9
ANIMAL Any live, vertebrate or nonvertebrate creature, domestic or wild, excluding Homo sapiens. ... ZOOLOGICAL PARK Any facility, other than a pet shop or kennel, displaying or exhibiting one or more species of domesticated or nondomesticated animals, operated by a person, partnership, corporation or government agency. ... Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter: A. Any person violati...
Pet Limits
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, no person can keep or control more than three dogs on a single premises or a single structure. The cap sits in the dog licensing section of Chapter 144 and is enforced by animal control officers, police and the Board of Health. That section names only dogs, so it prints no numeric limit for cats.
Chicopee Dog Limit: Three Per Premises
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 144-20
A. Any person owning, keeping, harboring or having custody of any dog over three months of age within this City must obtain a license as provided in this chapter. ... M. No person shall keep or control more than three dogs on a single premises or a single structure.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, no unclaimed dog can be released for adoption unless it is sterilized or the adopter signs a written agreement guaranteeing sterilization. The adopter pays a deposit of at least $35, and $25 comes back after proof of sterilization. Chapter 144 does not order owners to sterilize dogs they already keep.
Chicopee Sterilization Rule for Adopted Dogs
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 144-22
No unclaimed dog shall be released for adoption without being sterilized or without written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing that such animal will be sterilized, and a deposit of at least $35 must be paid at the time of adoption, $25 to be refunded after proof of sterilization.
Microchipping
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, microchipping is a Board of Health order option, not a blanket mandate. Under § 144-23(C)(4) the Board can order a nuisance or dangerous dog surgically sterilized and microchipped with the chip registered to the City, all at the owner's cost. Ordinary dogs are identified by license tags.
Chicopee Microchip Order for Dangerous Dogs
Light RestrictionsChicopee Code § 144-23
C. Dogs declared to be nuisance or dangerous dogs. If the Board of Health for the City of Chicopee deems a dog to be a nuisance dog or dangerous dog, the Board of Health may order one or more of the following: (1) That the dog be humanely restrained. ... (4) That the animal shall be surgically sterilized and microchipped with the microchip registered to the City, with all costs associated with ...
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a pet shop counts as a commercial animal establishment and cannot operate without a City permit under Chapter 144. Permits run April 1 for one year, each address needs its own, and opening without one draws a fine of up to $200. Chapter 144 prints no ban on retail dog or cat sales.
Chicopee Pet Shop Permit Rules Under Chapter 144
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 144-2
A. No person, partnership or corporation shall operate a commercial animal establishment or animal shelter without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter. B. The City shall promulgate regulations for the issuance of permits and shall include requirements for humane care of all animals and for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws. ... D. The ...
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, § 144-2 of the City Code lists a $50 annual permit for each grooming shop. The permit year begins April 1, each address needs its own permit, and opening without one or missing the April 1 deadline carries a fine of up to $200.
Pet Groomer Permits in Chicopee, MA
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code §§ 144-1, 144-2
COMMERCIAL ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENT Any pet shop, auction, riding school or stable, zoological park, circus, performing animal exhibition or kennel. ... A. No person, partnership or corporation shall operate a commercial animal establishment or animal shelter without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter. ... D. The permit period shall begin April 1 and shall run for one year. Re...