Exotic Pets: Newton vs Somerville
How do exotic pets rules compare between Newton, MA and Somerville, MA?
Newton and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
Newton, MA
Middlesex County
Newton follows Massachusetts state law prohibiting most exotic pets, including large cats, primates, venomous reptiles, and many wildlife species without MassWildlife permits.
View full Newton rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
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.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Newton | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Primary law | 321 CMR 9.01 and MGL c.131 s.77A | - |
| Prohibited | Primates, big cats, venomous snakes | - |
| Permit agency | MassWildlife | - |
| Allowed | Standard dogs, cats, ferrets | - |
| Enforcement | Environmental Police plus local | - |
| Main authority | - | 321 CMR 9.01 (state) |
| Statutory basis | - | MGL c.131 s.23 |
| Permitting agency | - | MassWildlife |
| Common pets allowed | - | Dogs, cats, small exotics |
| Typical fine | - | From 500 dollars |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Newton FAQ
Can I keep a boa constrictor?
Common non-venomous snakes under certain size limits are allowed; larger constrictors and venomous species are restricted.
Are ferrets legal in Newton?
Yes, ferrets are legal in Massachusetts and Newton follows state law.
Somerville FAQ
Can I own a ferret in Somerville?
Yes. Ferrets are legal domestic pets in Massachusetts, unlike in California or New York City.
Are sugar gliders or hedgehogs allowed?
Sugar gliders and hedgehogs are restricted in Massachusetts; most species require state permits that are rarely issued to hobbyists.
Compare other topics
See how Newton and Somerville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool