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

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.

⚠️ Important: Always check your local municipal bylaws or contact your town’s zoning office before starting a flock.

Massachusetts Major Cities Rules

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Worcester, MA

Worcester, MA has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Springfield, MA

Springfield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Boston, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines (rear yard)

Brockton, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from residence; 6 ft side / 10 ft rear lot lines

Lynn, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Accessory structure setbacks

Quincy, MA

Quincy, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

New Bedford, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6–7 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required for larger flocks | Setback: Approximately 12–20 ft from property lines / neighboring dwellings

Cambridge, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (up to 12 with authorization) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Lawrence, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Other Massachusetts Ordinances by County & City

Barnstable County, MA

East Falmouth, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Required | Setback: 10–50 ft from property lines / dwellings

Hyannis, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Mashpee, MA

Hen Limit: Not Specified | Roosters: Only on 5+ acres | Permit: Registration required | Setback: 25–40 ft from dwellings / property lines

Berkshire County, MA

Pittsfield, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 20–40 ft from dwellings

Bristol County, MA

Fall River, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Taunton, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines

Attleboro, MA

Attleboro, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

North Attleboro, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Only in R40 | Permit: Required | Setback: 15 ft from property lines; 20 ft from dwellings

Mansfield, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20 ft from lot lines

North Dartmouth, MA

North Dartmouth, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Somerset, MA

Somerset, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Norton, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 25 ft from property lines

Swansea, MA

Swansea, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westport, MA

Hen Limit: No limit | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Seekonk, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 25 ft from property lines

Raynham, MA

Raynham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fairhaven, MA

Fairhaven, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rehoboth, MA

Rehoboth, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

North Easton, MA

North Easton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Essex County, MA

Haverhill, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from lot lines; 50 ft from abutters’ dwellings

Methuen, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Peabody, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6–15 hens (by lot size) | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Required | Setback: 5–15 ft from property lines / dwellings

Salem, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from side/rear lot lines; 20 ft from front lot line

Beverly, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed only if 150 ft from abutting dwelling | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from lot lines

Andover, MA

Andover, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

North Andover, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (more on larger lots) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 40 ft from other residences

Saugus, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 15 ft from lot lines; 50 ft from dwellings

Danvers, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 15 hens (on lots ≤20,000 sq ft) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 15 ft from abutting residential lot line

Gloucester, MA

Gloucester, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marblehead, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Newburyport, MA

Newburyport, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Amesbury, MA

Amesbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Swampscott, MA

Swampscott, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lynnfield, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Ipswich, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6–14 hens (by lot size) | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Required (lots <1 acre) | Setback: Zoning setbacks apply

Franklin County, MA

Greenfield, MA

Greenfield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hampden County, MA

Chicopee, MA

Chicopee, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westfield, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (special permit in some zones) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required in most residential zones | Setback: Not specified

Holyoke, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100 ft from abutting residential lot lines

West Springfield, MA

West Springfield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ludlow, MA

Ludlow, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Longmeadow, MA

East Longmeadow, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Longmeadow, MA

Longmeadow, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Agawam, MA

Agawam, MA has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Wilbraham, MA

Wilbraham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hampshire County, MA

Amherst, MA

Hen Limit: No limit | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Easthampton, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 25 hens (on 1+ acre lots) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Belchertown, MA

Belchertown, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South Hadley, MA

South Hadley, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Middlesex County, MA

Somerville, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not within 20 ft of front lot line

Framingham, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required (more than 6) | Setback: Not specified

Malden, MA

Malden, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Waltham, MA

Waltham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Medford, MA

Medford, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Arlington, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from neighboring residences

Everett, MA

Everett, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Woburn, MA

Woburn, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marlborough, MA

Marlborough, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Natick, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Lexington, MA

Lexington, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dracut, MA

Hen Limit: 1 chicken per 4,000 sq ft | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from lot lines

Watertown, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Billerica, MA

Billerica, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Tewksbury, MA

Tewksbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Melrose, MA

Melrose, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Chelmsford, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (up to 20 with extra setbacks) | Roosters: Not allowed (except farms) | Permit: Required | Setback: 25–40 ft from lot lines

Wakefield, MA

Wakefield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Belmont, MA

Belmont, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westford, MA

Westford, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Reading, MA

Reading, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Burlington, MA

Burlington, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Acton, MA

Acton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Winchester, MA

Winchester, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wilmington, MA

Wilmington, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Stoneham, MA

Stoneham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hopkinton, MA

Hopkinton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sudbury, MA

Sudbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hudson, MA

Hudson, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ashland, MA

Ashland, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Concord, MA

Concord, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Newton Center, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from side/rear; 40 ft from front

North Reading, MA

North Reading, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Holliston, MA

Holliston, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Chestnut Hill, MA

Chestnut Hill, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wayland, MA

Wayland, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bedford, MA

Hen Limit: Less than 7 hens (no permit) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required for 7+ | Setback: Not specified

Tyngsboro, MA

Tyngsboro, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Norfolk County, MA

Brookline, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 100 ft from other residences

Braintree, MA

Braintree, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Franklin, MA

Franklin, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Randolph, MA

Randolph, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Norwood, MA

Norwood, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Stoughton, MA

Stoughton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Milton, MA

Milton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dedham, MA

Dedham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Canton, MA

Canton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Needham, MA

Needham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Walpole, MA

Walpole, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sharon, MA

Sharon, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

South Weymouth, MA

South Weymouth, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Foxboro, MA

Foxboro, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bellingham, MA

Bellingham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westwood, MA

Westwood, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wellesley Hills, MA

Wellesley Hills, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Weymouth, MA

East Weymouth, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Medway, MA

Medway, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Medfield, MA

Medfield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Weymouth, MA

Weymouth, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Plymouth County, MA

Plymouth, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified

Hingham, MA

Hingham, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bridgewater, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Required | Setback: 50 ft from property lines

Marshfield, MA

Marshfield, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Middleboro, MA

Middleboro, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Scituate, MA

Scituate, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pembroke, MA

Pembroke, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rockland, MA

Rockland, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Abington, MA

Abington, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Duxbury, MA

Duxbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hanover, MA

Hanover, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Whitman, MA

Whitman, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

East Bridgewater, MA

East Bridgewater, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kingston, MA

Kingston, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Suffolk County, MA

Dorchester, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Revere, MA

Revere, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dorchester Center, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

East Boston, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Chelsea, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 2 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Brighton, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Hyde Park, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Jamaica Plain, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

South Boston, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Roslindale, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

West Roxbury, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Roxbury, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Mattapan, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Winthrop, MA

Winthrop, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Charlestown, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Allston, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines

Worcester County, MA

Leominster, MA

Leominster, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Shrewsbury, MA

Shrewsbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fitchburg, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Milford, MA

Milford, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Westborough, MA

Hen Limit: Not specified (lot-size based) | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 5–10 ft from property lines

Gardner, MA

Gardner, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Holden, MA

Holden, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Auburn, MA

Hen Limit: Up to 6–12 hens (by lot size) | Roosters: Not allowed on <5 acres | Permit: Required | Setback: 20–25 ft from property lines / dwellings

Webster, MA

Webster, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Northborough, MA

Northborough, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Southbridge, MA

Southbridge, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clinton, MA

Clinton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Uxbridge, MA

Uxbridge, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Millbury, MA

Millbury, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Charlton, MA

Charlton, MA has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rural & Unincorporated Massachusetts Areas

Massachusetts has no true unincorporated areas in the same sense as many other states. Nearly all land falls under a city or town. Rural towns and properties zoned agricultural or rural residential are generally the most permissive places to keep backyard chickens.

Many western and central Massachusetts towns (e.g., parts of Berkshire, Franklin, Worcester, and Hampshire counties) treat poultry as a normal agricultural activity with few restrictions.

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.

Zoning & HOA Rules

HOA & Private Covenants: Massachusetts cities and towns regulate backyard chickens through local bylaws and ordinances. If your property is subject to an HOA, condominium association, or private restrictive covenant, those rules may impose additional restrictions on keeping chickens or constructing a coop. Check your governing documents before purchasing birds or building a coop. Local zoning approval does not necessarily eliminate separate obligations under applicable private covenants or association rules.

Predator Threats

Massachusetts’s mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas brings raccoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, snakes, hawks, owls, and other predators. Urban and suburban flocks face more scavengers and birds of prey; rural areas more commonly see coyotes, foxes, and other wildlife. Massachusetts winters also increase the risk of cold stress, frostbite, and exposure-related health problems, while spring and summer can increase pressure from predators and disease-carrying wildlife.

Selling Backyard Eggs in Massachusetts

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).

Massachusetts State 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.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

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.

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?

Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Bay State. From selecting cold-hardy breeds that handle New England winters to managing feed, egg quality, coop odors, predator protection, common health issues, garden benefits, and everyday care, our guides help you keep a productive and neighbor-friendly flock.

Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide

Official Sources

1. When available, we reference Massachusetts municipal bylaws and ordinances from verified platforms like ecode360.com, municode.com, and local government websites at the time of publication.

2. MDAR Poultry Program — poultry regulations, animal health, poultry exemptions, egg sales, and biosecurity guidance.

3. MDPH Slaughtering & Processing Policy — Massachusetts requirements and guidance for slaughtering and processing meat and poultry.

4. When a city or town has no published ordinance available in the sources above, we state “no publicly available ordinance data.” This does not mean chickens are banned — only that we could not locate a citable published rule. See our disclaimer below.