Animal Ordinances in Lowell, MA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Lowell, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Lowell City Code Section 104-34 flatly prohibits keeping animals or fowl within the city limits except licensed pigeons, so backyard chickens, roosters and other livestock are not allowed. Separately, Section 171-11 bars keeping fowl, swine or goats without a Board of Health license.
Keeping chickens, fowl and livestock prohibited (pigeons excepted)
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Lowell Code, Ch. 104 (Animals), Art. III, Sec. 104-34 (General restrictions)
A. No person shall keep animals or fowl within the city limits, except pigeons. B. No person shall keep pigeons in any building any part of which is used as a dwelling, including but not limited to attached garages and breezeways, etc. C. Dogs must be licensed according to the provisions of Lowell City ordinances and of state law (MGL c. 140, Sec. 137). Exotic birds, fish, reptiles and amphibia...
Dog Leash Laws
All dogs in Lowell must be leashed when off the owner's property. Off-leash is permitted only at designated dog parks or on the owner's controlled property.
Lowell Dog Leash Laws and Off-Leash Rules
Some RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157 (Nuisance Dog Hearings)
Any person may file a complaint in writing to the hearing authority that a dog owned or kept in the city or town is a nuisance dog or a dangerous dog; provided, however, that no dog shall be deemed dangerous: (i) solely based upon growling or barking or solely growling and barking; (ii) based upon the breed of the dog; or (iii) if the dog was reacting to another animal or to a person and the do...
Breed Restrictions
No Lowell ordinance restricts dogs by breed, and breed-specific regulation is barred statewide: both Lowell Code Section 104-9.1 and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 157 provide that no city or town shall regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to breed. Dogs are instead regulated by individual behavior through the dangerous-dog process.
Breed-specific dog regulation prohibited by state law
Few RestrictionsMGL c. 140, Sec. 157 (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 157 - Nuisance and dangerous dogs)
No city or town shall regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is permitted in Lowell subject to MGL c.128 s.31A state registration with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and reasonable setback rules.
Lowell Beekeeping Rules and Registration
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Exotic animals in Lowell are tightly regulated by Massachusetts state law, which bans most wild mammals, venomous reptiles, and primates as personal pets.
Lowell Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Intentional feeding of deer, bears, coyotes, and waterfowl is discouraged in Lowell; feeding that creates a public health nuisance can be cited by the Board of Health.
Lowell Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Larger livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, horses, and cattle are generally prohibited on standard residential lots in Lowell without a Zoning Board special permit.
Lowell Livestock Rules in Residential Zones
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Lowell sets no numeric per-household limit on the number of dogs or cats a resident may keep; instead, every dog over six months must be licensed and larger numbers are regulated through the kennel-license provisions of Chapter 104. Massachusetts state law (MGL c.140 Sec.137) supplies the underlying licensing requirement.
No household dog cap; kennel rules apply to larger numbers
Few RestrictionsMGL c. 140, Sec. 173 (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 173 - Additional ordinances and by-laws)
A city or town may make additional ordinances or by-laws relative to the licensing and control of animals not inconsistent with sections 136A to 174F, inclusive.
Looking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lowell city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Middlesex County →