Massachusetts Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits & Setbacks by City and Town

Last Updated: June 21, 2026

Statewide Backyard Chicken Laws Overview in Massachusetts

There is no statewide ban on backyard chickens in Massachusetts. Instead, local cities and towns hold authority to set flock limits, permit requirements, and coop setbacks. While rural areas are often flexible, urban and suburban zones typically cap flocks at 4–6 hens and strictly prohibit roosters. Always check your local municipal bylaws or contact your town’s zoning office before starting a flock.

Official Source: MDAR Poultry Program

Zoning, Building & HOA Rules

Coops are considered accessory structures. You must comply with local zoning regarding height, size, and property line setbacks. Note that Homeowners Associations (HOAs) can restrict or ban chickens even if town bylaws allow them.

Permits & Registration

Massachusetts does not require a statewide permit for backyard flocks. However, the MDAR encourages voluntary biosecurity registration. Many cities mandate local health department permits; check your city for specific local application forms.

Massachusetts Predator Challenges

Backyard flocks face threats from foxes, raccoons, coyotes, fishers, weasels, hawks, and black bears (in western MA).

Secure your coop: Use hardware cloth buried at least 12 inches deep.
Maintain integrity: Use strong locks and keep the structure roofed.

Selling Backyard Eggs

Small-scale, direct-to-consumer egg sales are generally permitted without a license. Eggs must be clean, free of cracks, and refrigerated at or below 45°F. Cartons must be clean and clearly labeled as "Ungraded" or "Not Graded." You must also include the producer’s name, address, and a "Safe Handling" statement (required by the FDA).

Poultry Slaughter Rules

Slaughter practices are governed by the USDA Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and local ordinances:

Personal Use: Exempt. You may process birds raised by you for household, family, or non-paying guest consumption.
Commercial Sale: Restricted. You cannot sell meat from home-slaughtered birds unless processed in a USDA-inspected facility or under specific federal producer exemptions.
Nuisance Laws: Local boards of health may prohibit on-site slaughter due to noise, odor, or waste disposal issues.

Official Source: MDPH Slaughtering & Processing Policy

Click on your county to view county and city details:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are backyard chickens legal in Massachusetts?

Yes, there is no statewide ban. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) oversees health and biosecurity, while individual towns determine flock limits, permits, and setbacks. Many towns have "Right to Farm" bylaws that protect agricultural activities.

How many chickens can I have in Massachusetts?

This is town-dependent. It is common to see limits of six to ten hens in urban and suburban zones, while rural areas often have higher or no limits. You must verify your specific town bylaws.

Are roosters allowed in Massachusetts residential areas?

Roosters are frequently prohibited in cities and suburban areas due to noise ordinances. They are generally only permitted in rural zones or on larger parcels of land.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Massachusetts?

It varies by municipality. Cities like Boston and Plymouth require permits, while many smaller or rural towns do not require them for small, personal-use flocks. MDAR biosecurity registration is encouraged for all flock owners.

What are coop setback requirements in Massachusetts?

Setbacks typically range from five to twenty feet from property lines, often following the same zoning rules as other accessory structures like sheds. Always verify with your local building or health department.

Can I sell eggs from backyard chickens in Massachusetts?

Small, direct-to-consumer sales are often permitted, but you must adhere to state food safety guidelines. Eggs should be clean, refrigerated, and labeled as "ungraded." Larger commercial sales require state licensing and specific grading compliance.

How to check local chicken laws in my Massachusetts town?

Contact your town clerk, board of health, or zoning enforcement officer. You can also search your town’s online municipal code (often hosted on sites like eCode360).

What predators threaten backyard chickens in Massachusetts?

Common threats include foxes, raccoons, coyotes, fishers, hawks, owls, and occasionally black bears in western regions. Use buried hardware cloth and secure, roofed enclosures to protect your flock.

Winter care tips for chickens in Massachusetts?

Focus on a dry, draft-free coop. Provide adequate ventilation near the roof to prevent moisture buildup (which causes frostbite) and ensure constant access to unfrozen water. High-energy feed can also help birds maintain body heat.

What are Boston chicken rules?

Up to six hens are allowed in permitted zones. Roosters are prohibited. A "Use of Premises" permit from Inspectional Services is required. Coops must be at least 15 feet from neighboring buildings and 5 feet from property lines.

Are chickens allowed in Worcester?

Chickens are generally prohibited in many residential zones. Regulations regarding livestock are subject to change; contact the Worcester Inspectional Services Department for the most current zoning status.

Massachusetts Ordinances by City & Town

Summary of common rules — always confirm with town code enforcement, as details vary by zoning district and can change.

Barnstable County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Barnstable, Brewster, Buzzards Bay, Cataumet, Centerville, Chatham, Cotuit, Cummaquid, Dennis, Dennis Port, East Dennis, East Falmouth, East Orleans, East Sandwich, Eastham, Falmouth, Forestdale, Harwich, Harwich Port, Hyannis, Hyannis Port, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, Monument Beach, North Chatham, North Eastham, North Falmouth, North Truro, Orleans, Osterville, Pocasset, Provincetown, Sagamore, Sagamore Beach, Sandwich, Silver Beach, South Chatham, South Dennis, South Harwich, South Orleans, South Wellfleet, South Yarmouth, Truro, Wellfleet, West Barnstable, West Chatham, West Dennis, West Falmouth, West Harwich, West Hyannisport, West Yarmouth, Woods Hole, Yarmouth Port.

Barnstable, MA

Brewster, MA

Chatham, MA

Dennis, MA

Eastham, MA

Falmouth, MA

Harwich, MA

Mashpee, MA

Orleans, MA

Provincetown, MA

Sandwich, MA

Truro, MA

Wellfleet, MA

Yarmouth, MA

Berkshire County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Adams, Ashley Falls, Becket, Berkshire, Cheshire, Dalton, Drury, East Otis, Glendale, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Housatonic, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Lenox Dale, Mill River, Monterey, North Adams, North Egremont, Otis, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, South Egremont, South Lee, Southfield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, Windsor.

Adams, MA

North Adams, MA

Pittsfield, MA

Unincorporated: Ashley Falls, Becket, Berkshire, Cheshire, Dalton, Drury, East Otis, Glendale, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Housatonic, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Lenox Dale, Mill River, Monterey, North Egremont, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, South Egremont, South Lee, Southfield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, West Stockbridge, Williamstown, Windsor.

Bristol County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Acushnet, Assonet, Attleboro, Attleboro Falls, Berkley, Chartley, Dartmouth, Dighton, East Freetown, East Mansfield, East Taunton, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Mansfield, New Bedford, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, North Dighton, North Easton, Norton, Raynham, Raynham Center, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, South Dartmouth, South Easton, Swansea, Taunton, Westport, Westport Point.

Attleboro, MA

Dartmouth, MA

Fall River, MA

Mansfield, MA

New Bedford, MA

Norton, MA

Seekonk, MA

Taunton, MA

Westport, MA

Unincorporated: Acushnet, Assonet, Attleboro Falls, Berkley, Chartley, Dighton, East Freetown, East Mansfield, East Taunton, Easton, Fairhaven, North Attleboro, North Dartmouth, North Dighton, North Easton, Raynham, Raynham Center, Rehoboth, Somerset, South Dartmouth, South Easton, Swansea, Westport Point.

Dukes County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Chilmark, Cuttyhunk, Edgartown, Menemsha, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Chop, West Tisbury.

Chilmark, MA

Cuttyhunk, MA

Edgartown, MA

Menemsha, MA

Oak Bluffs, MA

Vineyard Haven, MA

West Chop, MA

West Tisbury, MA

Essex County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Amesbury, Andover, Beverly, Boxford, Byfield, Danvers, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Hathorne, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Prides Crossing, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, South Hamilton, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, West Boxford, West Newbury.

Beverly, MA

Danvers, MA

Hamilton, MA

Unincorporated: Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Byfield, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hathorne, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Prides Crossing, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, South Hamilton, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham, West Boxford, West Newbury.

Franklin County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Lake Pleasant, Leverett, Millers Falls, Monroe Bridge, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne Falls, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, Sunderland, Turners Falls, Warwick, Wendell, Wendell Depot, Whately.

Greenfield, MA

Montague, MA

Unincorporated: Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Heath, Lake Pleasant, Leverett, Millers Falls, Monroe Bridge, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne Falls, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, Sunderland, Turners Falls, Warwick, Wendell, Wendell Depot, Whately.

Hampden County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Agawam, Blandford, Bondsville, Brimfield, Chester, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, Granville, Hampden, Holland, Holyoke, Indian Orchard, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Russell, Southwick, Springfield, Thorndike, Three Rivers, Wales, West Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham, Woronoco.

Agawam, MA

Chicopee, MA

Holyoke, MA

Springfield, MA

Westfield, MA

Unincorporated: Blandford, Bondsville, Brimfield, Chester, East Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, Granville, Hampden, Holland, Indian Orchard, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, Russell, Southwick, Thorndike, Three Rivers, Wales, West Springfield, Wilbraham, Woronoco.

Hampshire County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Amherst, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Easthampton, Florence, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Haydenville, Huntington, Leeds, Middlefield, North Amherst, North Hatfield, Northampton, Plainfield, South Hadley, Southampton, Ware, West Chesterfield, West Hatfield, Williamsburg, Worthington.

Amherst, MA

Easthampton, MA

Northampton, MA

South Hadley, MA

Ware, MA

Unincorporated: Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Florence, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Haydenville, Huntington, Leeds, Middlefield, North Amherst, North Hatfield, Plainfield, Southampton, West Chesterfield, West Hatfield, Williamsburg, Worthington.

Middlesex County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Acton, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Ashby, Ashland, Auburndale, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chestnut Hill, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Everett, Framingham, Groton, Hanscom AFB, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Natick, New Town, Newton, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Nonantum, North Billerica, North Chelmsford, North Reading, North Waltham, Nutting Lake, Pepperell, Pinehurst, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Waban, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Waverley, Wayland, West Groton, West Medford, West Newton, West Townsend, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn, Woodville.

Framingham, MA

Newton, MA

Waltham, MA

Unincorporated: Acton, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Ashby, Ashland, Auburndale, Ayer, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Chestnut Hill, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Everett, Groton, Hanscom AFB, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Natick, New Town, Newton Center, Newton Highlands, Newton Lower Falls, Newton Upper Falls, Newtonville, Nonantum, North Billerica, North Chelmsford, North Reading, North Waltham, Nutting Lake, Pepperell, Pinehurst, Reading, Sherborn, Shirley, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Waban, Wakefield, Watertown, Waverley, Wayland, West Groton, West Medford, West Newton, West Townsend, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn, Woodville.

Nantucket County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Unincorporated: Nantucket, Siasconset.

Norfolk County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Avon, Babson Park, Bellingham, Braintree, Brookline, Brookline Village, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, Dover, East Walpole, East Weymouth, Foxboro, Franklin, Holbrook, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Milton Village, Needham, Needham Heights, Norfolk, North Weymouth, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Sheldonville, South Walpole, South Weymouth, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Wellesley Hills, Westwood, Weymouth, Wrentham.

Brookline, MA

Dedham, MA

Foxborough, MA

Franklin, MA

Milton, MA

Unincorporated: Avon, Babson Park, Bellingham, Braintree, Canton, Cohasset, Dover, East Walpole, East Weymouth, Holbrook, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton Village, Needham, Needham Heights, Norfolk, North Weymouth, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Sheldonville, South Walpole, South Weymouth, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Wellesley Hills, Westwood, Weymouth, Wrentham.

Plymouth County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Abington, Accord, Brant Rock, Bridgewater, Brockton, Bryantville, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, East Wareham, Elmwood, Green Harbor, Greenbush, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Humarock, Kingston, Lakeville, Manomet, Marion, Marshfield, Marshfield Hills, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Minot, Monponsett, North Carver, North Marshfield, North Pembroke, North Scituate, Norwell, Ocean Bluff, Onset, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, South Carver, Wareham, West Bridgewater, West Wareham, White Horse Beach, Whitman.

Brockton, MA

Halifax, MA

Plymouth, MA

Unincorporated: Abington, Accord, Brant Rock, Bridgewater, Bryantville, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, East Wareham, Elmwood, Green Harbor, Greenbush, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Humarock, Kingston, Lakeville, Manomet, Marion, Marshfield, Marshfield Hills, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Minot, Monponsett, North Carver, North Marshfield, North Pembroke, North Scituate, Norwell, Ocean Bluff, Onset, Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, South Carver, Wareham, West Bridgewater, West Wareham, White Horse Beach, Whitman.

Suffolk County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Allston, Boston, Brighton, Charlestown, Chelsea, Dorchester, Dorchester Center, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Readville, Revere, Roslindale, Roxbury, Roxbury Crossing, South Boston, West Roxbury, Winthrop.

Boston, MA

Chelsea, MA

Revere, MA

Winthrop, MA

Unincorporated: Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Dorchester Center, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Readville, Roslindale, Roxbury, Roxbury Crossing, South Boston, West Roxbury.

Worcester County, Massachusetts Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Ashburnham, Athol, Auburn, Baldwinville, Barre, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, Brookfield, Charlton, Charlton City, Charlton Depot, Cherry Valley, Clinton, Devens, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, East Princeton, East Templeton, Fayville, Fiskdale, Fitchburg, Gardner, Gilbertville, Grafton, Hardwick, Harvard, Holden, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Jefferson, Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Linwood, Lunenburg, Manchaug, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, New Braintree, North Brookfield, North Grafton, North Oxford, North Uxbridge, Northborough, Northbridge, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Petersham, Princeton, Rochdale, Royalston, Rutland, Shrewsbury, South Barre, South Grafton, South Lancaster, Southborough, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Still River, Sturbridge, Sutton, Templeton, Upton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield, West Millbury, West Warren, Westborough, Westminster, Wheelwright, Whitinsville, Winchendon, Winchendon Springs, Worcester.

Fitchburg, MA

Upton, MA

Worcester, MA

Unincorporated: Ashburnham, Athol, Auburn, Baldwinville, Barre, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boylston, Brookfield, Charlton, Charlton City, Charlton Depot, Cherry Valley, Clinton, Devens, Douglas, Dudley, East Brookfield, East Princeton, East Templeton, Fayville, Fiskdale, Gardner, Gilbertville, Grafton, Hardwick, Harvard, Holden, Hopedale, Hubbardston, Jefferson, Lancaster, Leicester, Leominster, Linwood, Lunenburg, Manchaug, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, New Braintree, North Brookfield, North Grafton, North Oxford, North Uxbridge, Northborough, Northbridge, Oakham, Oxford, Paxton, Petersham, Princeton, Rochdale, Royalston, Rutland, Shrewsbury, South Barre, South Grafton, South Lancaster, Southborough, Southbridge, Spencer, Sterling, Still River, Sturbridge, Sutton, Templeton, Uxbridge, Warren, Webster, West Boylston, West Brookfield, West Millbury, West Warren, Westborough, Westminster, Wheelwright, Whitinsville, Winchendon, Winchendon Springs.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Upon approval by your local jurisdiction—and especially in Massachusetts' historic towns where space and zoning setbacks can be tight—use these compact coop designs to maximize your available footprint while meeting local property line regulations. For long-term flock health and coop upkeep, view our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Coop Management Guide.

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?

Ready to build your coop? Follow our Step-by-Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide and construct a sturdy, draft-free, and well-ventilated coop designed to handle Massachusetts’ harsh sub-zero winters, high humidity, Nor'easters, and local predator activity.

Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Bay State. From selecting cold-hardy, frost-resistant breeds that thrive in New England’s climate to managing deep litter in winter and keeping predators like foxes, fishers, weasels, and coyotes at bay, our guides help you maintain a productive, neighborhood-friendly flock.

Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide

Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. Information is for general reference only, based on public sources at time of publication. Local laws, zoning, and HOA rules change frequently. Always verify directly with your city, county, planning department, animal control, or HOA for your local area. See our full Disclaimer & Legal Notice.