Animal Ordinances in Somerville, MA (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Somerville permits a limited number of backyard hens by permit with strict coop setbacks and no roosters, reflecting the city's dense urban fabric and small lot sizes.
Somerville Backyard Chickens Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDog 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
Beekeeping is allowed in Somerville with Board of Health permitting and mandatory state registration under MGL Chapter 128 Section 31A, with hive setbacks and flyway barriers required.
Somerville Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic 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 ...
Wildlife Feeding
Somerville prohibits feeding of wildlife that creates nuisance or public health risks, and MassWildlife restricts feeding of deer, bears, and turkeys statewide.
Somerville Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsLivestock
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...
Looking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Somerville city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Middlesex County →