6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Backyard chickens in Bristol County are regulated by municipal zoning. Urban Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton restrict poultry; rural towns like Rehoboth, Berkley, and Freetown allow hens with setbacks. MA Right-to-Farm protects designated ag areas.
Dog leash laws in Bristol County are enforced at the municipal level under MGL Ch. 140. Most towns require dogs to be leashed (typically 6-7 ft) when off the owner's property. Annual dog licensing is required statewide through the local City or Town Clerk.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157 – Nuisance and dangerous dogs
restrained; provided, however, that no order shall provide that a dog deemed dangerous be chained, tethered or otherwise tied to an inanimate object including, but not limited to, a tree, post or building; (ii) that the dog be confined to the premises of the keeper of the dog; provided, however, that ''confined'' shall mean securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed a...
Bristol County does not impose county-level breed restrictions. Massachusetts has no statewide breed ban preemption, allowing individual municipalities to set their own policies. Most Bristol County towns enforce dangerous dog provisions under MGL Ch. 140 rather than breed-specific bans.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 157A – Failure to comply; dangerous dog penalties
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 jail or house of ...
Beekeeping in Bristol County is regulated at the municipal level through town Boards of Health under MGL Ch. 111. State regulations under 330 CMR 8.00 govern apiaries statewide. Individual towns may require permits for beekeeping.
Exotic pet regulations in Bristol County follow Massachusetts state law. MGL Ch. 131 §23 and 321 CMR 9.01 list prohibited species statewide. Individual town Boards of Health may impose additional restrictions on animal keeping.
MassWildlife (MGL ch. 131 §5A as amended) prohibits intentional feeding of black bears statewide. Bristol County cities restrict feeding of deer, turkeys, and coyotes. Unsecured trash and outdoor pet food attracting wildlife trigger local nuisance enforcement.
4 cities in Bristol County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Bristol County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Bristol County Ordinance Hub →