Right to Farm in Massachusetts (2026)
11 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Farm Nuisance Protection
Whether established farms are shielded from nuisance lawsuits and from local ordinances that would restrict their operations.
Agricultural Zoning Protection
State rules that limit how cities and counties may zone or restrict agricultural land uses, including livestock and crop operations.
Massachusetts: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsMassachusetts protects agricultural land use through MGL Chapter 40A Section 3, exempting agriculture, horticulture…
Read full rule →Lynn
Some RestrictionsAgriculture is a permitted, by-right use in every one of Lynn's fifteen zoning districts under the 2025 Zoning…
Read full rule →Somerville
Some RestrictionsSomerville's Zoning Ordinance treats farming as its own use category under Article 9, splitting it into Commercial…
Read full rule →Taunton
Some RestrictionsTaunton's zoning code treats agriculture, including keeping poultry, swine, cattle and other livestock, as a use…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Light RestrictionsCambridge zoning recognizes urban farming, community gardens and related agricultural uses under Article 23.000, but…
Read full rule →Newton
Light RestrictionsNewton's zoning ordinance defines agriculture broadly, covering horticulture, silviculture, floriculture, and…
Read full rule →Fall River
Few RestrictionsMassachusetts law lets Fall River landowners farm as of right: any parcel of five acres or more may be used, and…
Read full rule →Leominster
Few RestrictionsLeominster sets aside its Rural Residence and Agriculture (RR) district specifically for farming under City Code §…
Read full rule →New Bedford
Few RestrictionsNew Bedford's Zoning Ordinance marks "Agricultural Use (Exempt)", farming on parcels over five acres that qualifies…
Read full rule →Springfield
Few RestrictionsSpringfield's zoning lets residents grow and sell produce by right on any lot under five acres in every zoning…
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