Russell, MA

Hampden County has no county government (abolished 7/1/1998 under M.G.L. c. 34B §1), so leash laws are set by each city/town. Massachusetts has no statewide leash law, but M.G.L. c. 140 §137 requires every dog 6 months or older to be licensed and wear a tag, M.G.L. c. 140 §136A defines a dog "at large" as any dog off its owner's premises and not on a leash, and M.G.L. c. 140 §157 governs dangerous-dog hearings. In Hampden County, Springfield Code Ch. 70 §70-1, Holyoke Code Ch. 4, and Chicopee Code Ch. 86 each require dogs to be leashed when off the owner's property.

Hampden County government was abolished in 1998 and does not impose STR taxes. Massachusetts levies a 5.7% state room occupancy excise under MGL c.64G. Each Hampden city/town may add a local option excise up to 6%, plus a community impact fee up to 3%. Total ranges 5.7%-14.7% depending on municipality. State DOR registration ($50) required.

Hampden County has no government and sets no STR parking rules. Massachusetts has no statewide STR parking standard; off-street parking minimums come from each town's zoning bylaw under MGL c.40A. The 2024 Affordable Homes Act caps required parking at 1 space for ADUs (0 within 0.5 miles of transit) but does not preempt STR parking. Confirm with each Hampden town's zoning office.

Hampden County has no government and sets no STR occupancy limits. Massachusetts has no statewide STR occupant cap; limits derive from the State Building Code (780 CMR / IRC R304-R305) on minimum bedroom area and from each town's zoning bylaw. Typical municipal practice: 2 occupants per bedroom plus 2, capped by septic/sewer capacity and Title 5 (310 CMR 15.000) for on-site systems.

Hampden County has no county government and does not regulate STRs. Under Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018, all Massachusetts STR operators must register with the state Department of Revenue, carry $1M liability insurance, and collect a 5.7% state room occupancy excise plus any local option tax (up to 6%) and community impact fee (up to 3%) under M.G.L. c. 64G. Local STR rules vary by town in Hampden County.

Hampden County has no operational county government and does not regulate fireworks. Massachusetts is the only state in the U.S. that bans ALL consumer fireworks. Under M.G.L. c. 148 §39, possession, sale, or use of any fireworks is illegal — including sparklers, firecrackers, Roman candles, and bottle rockets. Enforcement is by State Police and local fire marshals in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam.

Hampden County has no county government and does not regulate ADUs. Under the Affordable Homes Act (Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024) amending M.G.L. c. 40A §3, every Massachusetts municipality must allow at least one Accessory Dwelling Unit by-right on every single-family lot — including in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam. Special permits cannot be required for the first ADU.

Hampden County has no county pool fence rules. Massachusetts is a home-rule state — pool barriers are governed by the State Building Code (780 CMR Appendix G / IRC AG105) and 105 CMR 435 (sanitary code), enforced by each town's building inspector. Statewide minimum: 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate, 4-inch sphere rule. Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam each issue their own permits.

Hampden County has no county government. Flood-zone regulation comes from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Massachusetts's Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 131 §40). The Connecticut River, Chicopee River, Westfield River, and Mill River all create extensive Special Flood Hazard Areas. Each town's Conservation Commission enforces wetlands rules; the state Department of Conservation and Recreation oversees flood control along the Connecticut River.