Animal Ordinances in Lawrence, MA (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Lawrence, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
A dog in any public place in Lawrence, including city and state property within the city, must be on a lead or chain under six feet long and controlled by a capable handler. § 6.04.190 bars dogs from private property entirely without the owner's specific permission, and requires every dog to be under restraint at all times, not just in public.
Lawrence Requires Dogs Restrained on a Leash
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances § 6.04.190(A)-(B)
A.No person who owns or harbors a dog shall allow such dog to be in any public place, upon any public way, or in any place to which the public has access as invitees or licensees, inclusive of all city-owned property and properties under the authority of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that are situated in the City of Lawrence, unless such dog is accompanied by a person of adequate age and di...
Breed Restrictions
Lawrence's ordinance targets behavior, not breed: a dog is 'dangerous or vicious' under § 6.04.160 if it has a history of unprovoked attacks or a documented propensity to attack, and once the animal control officer makes that finding the dog is banned outright from anywhere in the city. Owners of registered dangerous dogs face separate registration, photo and insurance rules.
Lawrence Bans Dogs Declared Dangerous or Vicious
Significant RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances § 6.04.160(A)-(B)
A.A "dangerous or vicious" dog, as the term is used in this section, means any dog with a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or any dog which attacks a human being or a domestic animal on two or more occasions without provocation and shall include the definition of "dangerous dog" in section 6.0...
Pet Limits
Lawrence's animal control chapter caps residential dog-keeping at three animals per premises: keep a fourth dog three months or older and the property legally becomes a 'kennel' requiring a state-law permit. Cats carry no numeric cap under this chapter, though an unlimited cat population can still trigger the city's nuisance-animal provisions. The city clerk administers annual dog licenses starting April 1.
Lawrence Limits Households to Three Dogs
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances § 6.04.040(L)
K.No person may use [a] license for any dog other than for the dog for which it was issued.L.No person shall keep or control more than three dogs on a single premises.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Lawrence's animal shelter cannot release an unclaimed dog or cat for adoption without either proof of sterilization or the adopter's written promise to sterilize it. Adopters put down a $35.00 deposit, refunded $25.00 once they show proof the animal was spayed or neutered. The city's dog-license fees separately reward owners who sterilize licensed pets year-round.
Lawrence Requires Sterilization of Adopted Animals
Some RestrictionsLawrence, MA Code of Ordinances § 6.04.090
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 $35.00 must be paid at the time of adoption, $25.00 to be refunded after proof of sterilization.
Bird Protection
Lawrence's municipal code makes it unlawful to stone or otherwise molest squirrels, doves or other pet creatures within any city park or playground. The ban sits in the chapter governing public parks, playgrounds and city-owned property, alongside rules against defacing trees, firing weapons and disorderly conduct on the same grounds.
Lawrence Park Doves and Squirrels Are Protected
Light RestrictionsLawrence Municipal Code § 12.24.040 (Molesting squirrels or doves)
No person shall, within any park or playground of the city, stone or otherwise molest squirrels, doves or other pet creatures.