Animal Ordinances in Somerville, MA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Traditional livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs are not permitted on residential lots in Somerville, which has no agricultural zoning districts.
Somerville Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsMassachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3 (Zoning exemption for commercial agriculture)
No zoning ordinance or by-law shall 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 viticulture, nor prohibit, unreasonably regulate or require a special permit for the use, expansion, reconstruction or construction of structures thereon for the primary pu...
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs in Somerville must be leashed in all public areas except designated off-leash dog parks, with fines for violations and mandatory waste cleanup citywide.
Somerville Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157 (Dog Licensing & Control)
license and tags in the person's possession, if any, and the owner or keeper shall be prohibited from licensing a dog within the commonwealth for 5 years. A hearing authority that determines that a dog is dangerous or a nuisance or that a dog owner or keeper has violated an order issued under this section shall report such violations to the issuing licensing authority within 30 days. (i) Orders...
Breed Restrictions
Somerville does not impose breed-specific legislation because Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 Section 157A prohibits cities from regulating dogs based on breed.
Somerville Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 140, Section 157A
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 for a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days in a...
Beekeeping
Somerville caps residential beekeeping at two colonies per lot and requires a Board of Health permit, $50 the first year and $25 to renew, before keeping any honey bees. Hives near a neighboring building or street need a six-foot flyway barrier and can't exceed five feet in height.
Somerville Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoard of Health Policy Regulations for the Keeping of Honey Bees, items 1, 2, 6, 7
No person shall keep honeybees on their premises without obtaining a permit from the Board of Health. Application fees are $50.00 for the first year and $25.00 for annual renewal with no modifications to the plan or keeper. A maximum of 2 colonies may be kept on a lot... Each hive shall not exceed five (5) feet in height and twenty (20) cubic feet. Hives located closer than twenty (20) feet fro...
Exotic Pets
Exotic pets are governed primarily by Massachusetts state law, which bans most wild and dangerous species; Somerville enforces the state list through Animal Control and Board of Health.
Somerville Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy Restrictions321 CMR 9.01
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. [...] (1) Purpose. The purpose of 321 CMR 9.01 is to list those species which ...
Pet Store Rules
Somerville's Zoning Ordinance does not ban pet stores from selling live animals or require adoption-only sales. Under §9.2.12.b.iv, a Pet Store use, defined as selling or otherwise providing household pets, is permitted with a Special Permit in the Mid-Rise, High-Rise, and Commercial districts, and prohibited in Neighborhood and Urban Residential.
Somerville Pet Store Sales Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville Zoning Ordinance §9.2.12.b.iv (Pet Store)
iv. Pet Store: Uses that sell or otherwise provide household pets. The following standards apply: a). The ancillary sale of pet supplies is permitted. b). In addition to the review criteria for all Special Permits specified in §15.2.1.e. Review Criteria, the review board shall make findings considering the following in its discretion to approve or deny a special permit authorizing a Pet Store p...
Pet Groomer Rules
Somerville's Zoning Ordinance Table 3.1.16 blocks new construction for pet grooming businesses in the Neighborhood Residence district but permits the use, without a special permit, inside a commercial building that predates the Ordinance, subject to a 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. hours limit under Section 3.1.16.b.
Somerville Pet Grooming Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville Zoning Ordinance § 3.1.16.b, Table 3.1.16
b. Adaptive Re-use of Specific Building Types ... Business operations are permitted only between the hours of 7:00am to 9: 00 pm. ... Table 3.1.16 Permitted Uses ... Commercial Kennel N N ... Pet Grooming N P ... Pet Day Care or Training N N ... Veterinarian N SP
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Somerville's Zoning Ordinance bars new construction for veterinary offices in the Neighborhood Residence district and allows the use only inside a pre-existing commercial building, and only with a discretionary Special Permit under Section 3.1.16.b and Table 3.1.16. Reviewers weigh neighborhood activity levels, existing veterinary concentration, and available commercial space before approval.
Somerville Veterinary Use Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsSomerville Zoning Ordinance § 3.1.16.b, Table 3.1.16
b. Adaptive Re-use of Specific Building Types ... Business operations are permitted only between the hours of 7:00am to 9: 00 pm. ... In addition to the review criteria for all Special Permits specified in §15.2.1.e Review Criteria, the review board shall make findings considering the following in its discretion to approve or deny a Special Permit authorizing a Veterinarian or Health Care Servi...
Bird Protection
Somerville bans feeding birds on any sidewalk, street, park, or other public property under City Code Sec. 3-3(b). The rule sits inside the same section that requires a highway superintendent's permit to feed or bait any animal in a public place.
Somerville Bird Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances Sec. 3-3
No person shall feed or bait any animal in any street or other place except in accordance with a permit from the superintendent of highways that may be revoked at any time. The feeding of birds is hereby prohibited in or on all sidewalks, streets, parks, or other public property. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section shall be fined in accordance with section 1-11(b).