Animal Ordinances in Springfield, MA (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Springfield, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Springfield bars keeping livestock animals, cattle, poultry, swine, and similar farm animals, on private property unless the Springfield Zoning Ordinance or state law allows it, under City Code § 110-12(D).
Springfield Livestock Animals Restriction
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-12(D)
No person shall keep any livestock animals on his/her property except as otherwise allowed by Springfield Zoning Ordinance or state law. An Animal Control Officer may seize and impound any animals kept in violation of this section or the Springfield Zoning Ordinance, as defined by this chapter and place it in a suitable facility. E. Violations. Any person who keeps, feeds, or shelters an ani...
Dog Leash Laws
Springfield, Massachusetts requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than six feet in public, unless the dog is inside a fenced yard, pen or designated dog park, under the city's 2016 animal control ordinance.
Springfield Dog Leash Law
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-5.A
All animals, with the exception of sterilized cats, shall be kept under restraint when in public. "Restraint" shall mean a leash, lead or other physical restraint. Dogs must be on a leash not more than six feet long, except in cases where the dog is confined in a fenced-in area or pen or when the dog is in a dog park. [Amended 12-5-2016] B. Every owner or keeper of an animal shall exercise ...
Breed Restrictions
Springfield, Massachusetts bars its Advisory and Hearing Committee from declaring any dog dangerous based on breed or on growling/barking alone: dangerous-dog status is decided case by case on documented behavior.
Springfield Dangerous Dog Breed Rule
Light RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-10.A
No dog shall be declared a dangerous dog: Solely based upon growling or barking; Based upon the breed of the dog; or If the dog was reacting to another animal or to a person and the dog's reaction was not grossly disproportionate to any of the following circumstances...
Exotic Pets
Springfield bars keeping any wild, wild-domestic hybrid, or vicious animal as a pet, for display, or exhibition, with exceptions only for zoos, circuses, and approved trap-neuter-return programs, under Chapter 110 of the Massachusetts city's animal code.
Springfield Ban on Wild Animal Pets
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-12(A)
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild, wild-domestic hybrid, or vicious animal as a pet, for display, or for exhibition purposes. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, animal exhibitions, circuses, or approved trap-neuter-return programs, as defined in this chapter. B. No person shall provide food or sustenance to wild animals, includi...
Wildlife Feeding
Springfield prohibits feeding wild animals or unsterilized feral, stray, or community cats whenever the feeding creates a public health or safety risk or a nuisance, under City Code § 110-12(B) in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Springfield Wildlife Feeding Restriction
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-12(B)
No person shall provide food or sustenance to wild animals, including unsterilized feral, stray, or community cats, in such a manner that would cause a public health or safety risk, or cause a nuisance as defined in this chapter. C. An Animal Control Officer may remove any animals kept in violation of this section and either release such animal into its natural habitat or place it in a suita...
Pet Limits
Springfield, Massachusetts caps most households at three dogs, four if every dog in the home is sterilized, before the keeper needs a kennel license.
Springfield, MA Household Dog Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-3.B
There shall not be allowed more than three dogs within a single dwelling unit, unless the keeper of such dogs is granted a license to operate a kennel, in accordance with this chapter, unless all animals in the home have been surgically altered. If all animals in the home are surgically altered, four dogs may be kept within a single dwelling unit, without the need to acquire a license to operat...
Cat Rules
Springfield, Massachusetts exempts sterilized cats from its public-restraint rule but fines the owner of a reproductively intact cat $100 per violation if it's found at large.
Springfield, MA Cat Restraint and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-5.A, C
All animals, with the exception of sterilized cats, shall be kept under restraint when in public... The owner of a reproductively whole dog or cat over the age of six months found to be at large shall be subject to a fine of $100 per violation.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Owners of an unaltered dog or cat over six months caught at large in Springfield, Massachusetts face a $100 fine unless they have the animal spayed or neutered within 10 days and prove it to the City Clerk.
Springfield Mandatory Dog Spay-Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-5.C(1)
The owner of a reproductively whole dog or cat over the age of six months found to be at large shall be subject to a fine of $100 per violation. The owner of the dog or cat shall have the option of paying this fine of $100 or, in the alternative, the owner may, within 10 days of the violation, have the dog or cat spayed or neutered.
Microchipping
A dog or cat caught at large three times in Springfield, Massachusetts must be surgically sterilized and microchipped before Animal Control returns it, with the owner covering the cost plus a $100 fine.
Springfield Repeat-Offender Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-5.C(2)
If a reproductively whole dog or cat is found to be at large on three occasions, as documented by an Animal Control Officer, the animal shall be surgically sterilized and microchipped before being returned to the owner. The owner shall bear all costs associated with this service and the fine of $100 shall be imposed. (3) The Chief Animal Control Officer may waive the sterilization requiremen...
Pet Store Rules
Springfield bars pet shops from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits, allowing only adoption displays for shelters and registered rescue groups, under City Code § 110-14, added April 5, 2021.
Springfield Pet Shop Dog Cat Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-14(C)(1)
It shall be unlawful for a pet shop to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. (2) A pet shop may provide space for the display of dogs, cats, or rabbits available for adoption only if such animals are displayed and made available for adoption by either: (A) a public animal control agency or shelter or (B) an animal rescue group, as defined, and all of the following conditions are met:...
Pet Groomer Rules
Grooming shops in Springfield, Massachusetts need an annual Animal Control permit, issued after inspection, with the City Code setting the fee at $50 per year.
Springfield, MA Pet Grooming Shop Permit
Some RestrictionsSpringfield City Code § 110-1; § 110-3.A, F(7)
GROOMING SHOP A commercial establishment where animals are bathed, clipped, plucked, or otherwise groomed... No person, partnership, or corporation shall operate a commercial animal establishment without first obtaining a permit in compliance with this chapter... Grooming shop: $50.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Springfield's zoning ordinance defines veterinary clinics as outpatient animal-care facilities and bars outdoor dog runs, play areas, and any boarding not directly tied to medical treatment, with Table 4-4 requiring Site Plan or Special Permit review in many districts.
Springfield MA Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 2.2 (VETERINARY CLINIC definition, Article 2)
VETERINARY CLINIC. A facility concerned with the medical diagnosis, treatment and care of DOMESTIC ANIMALs, primarily on an outpatient basis, and where the boarding of animals under treatment is incidental to the principal clinic use. A VETERINARY CLINIC shall have no outdoor dog runs or play areas, and no boarding of animals except for indoor boarding directly related to medical treatment....