Springfield, MA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Small-lot farming
- By-right under 5 acres, all districts
- No animals allowed
- On the small-lot exemption
- Structure trigger
- Greenhouse over 250 sq ft needs Tier 1 review
- Large-lot exemption
- 5+ acres exempt under M.G.L. c. 40A
Summary
Springfield's zoning lets residents grow and sell produce by right on any lot under five acres in every zoning district, and treats larger-scale farming as an exempt agricultural use.
Agriculture on parcels less than five (5) acres. Production of fruits, vegetables and/or ornamental flowers or the creation of a MARKET GARDEN is permitted by right on parcels less than five (5) acres in all ZONING DISTRICTs with the following standards:
1. Production does not include production or keeping of any animals and the raising of livestock is prohibited;
2. The sale of products grown on-site to others is allowed provided that such sales are accessory to the principal USE of the property and shall be located on the property where the practitioner permanently resides.
3. There shall be no outside employees who are not members of the household.
4. No goods shall be publically displayed for sale on the premises. All on-site sales shall be limited to products grown on site.
5. The use of commercial mechanized farming equipment for daily maintenance is prohibited.
6. Construction of a greenhouse or other agricultural structure larger
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under Section 4.4.11.A of the Springfield Zoning Ordinance, growing fruits, vegetables, ornamental flowers, or running a market garden is a by-right use on parcels under five acres in every residential, business, and industrial district: no animals or livestock, no outside employees beyond the household, no roadside display beyond what's grown on-site, and any greenhouse or farm structure over 250 square feet needs a Tier 1 review. Table 4-4 separately lists agriculture on parcels of five acres or more as exempt from zoning under state law in all districts, reflecting Massachusetts' Dover Amendment protection for genuine farming.
Violations & Fines
No stated fine; a greenhouse or farm structure over 250 square feet built without the required Tier 1 review, or on-site sales exceeding what's grown on the property, is a zoning violation enforceable by the Building Commissioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow and sell vegetables from my Springfield home?
Can I keep farm animals under Springfield's small-lot farming rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Massachusetts right to farm overview
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