- Jul 21, 2009
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I'm confused about the local laws in regards to chickens in Chelmsford, MA. I wanted to see if anyone had experience having chickens in the area.
I've been able to gather some information (see animal code below) about the current domestic animal requirements, but it's vague and I'm not sure if it applies to my scenario or even hens.
My Scenario:
Chickens: 3 hens
Lot Size: 80,000 square feet+.
Abutting lot line: greater than 50 feet
Surface Water body: None
Based on the town animal requirements (listed below) do I need a permit to have a chicken coop?
Is a permit necessary if I have just hens?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Link to PDF File:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chelmsford Animal Code
-----------------------------------------------------------
201-3. Permit required.
No person shall keep within the limits of this town in any buildings or on any premises of
which he or she may be the owner, lessee, tenant or occupant any cows, goats, swine,
roosters, gobblers, turkeys, ducks, pigeons or rabbits without a permit from the Board of
Health. All such permits expire annually on December 31 and may be revoked by the
Board at any time for cause.
201-4. Maintenance of premises.
The owners or persons in control of any buildings or premises in which goats, cows, swine,
roosters, gobblers, turkeys, ducks, pigeons or rabbits are kept shall keep the buildings and
premises clean and free from decaying food, filth, dirt and stagnant water. The buildings
and pens shall be whitewashed or disinfected and put in such condition as may be ordered
by the Board of Health.
201-5. Barns, stables and yards.
The owner or other person or persons having control of any existing building or buildings
hereafter erected or converted into a barn for the stabling of horses or other domestic
animals shall keep their barns, stables and yards clean and shall provide a pit constructed
of cement or other suitable material for the reception of manure and other refuse matter.
Wherever a public sewer is accessible, the Board of Health will decide as to the
advisability of connecting such building with such public sewer.
22. Amend Article IV Special Regulation, by deleting subsection 4160. Animals
Accessory to Dwellings, and substituting the following in its place:
4160. Animals Accessory to Dwelling. Cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, goats, gamebirds,
or similar livestock may be maintained accessory to a dwelling only on a lot
having an area of not less than 40,000 square feet plus 15,000 square feet per
large animal (25 pounds or heavier at maturity) in excess of one or per ten
smaller animals in excess of the first ten. Such animals and their wastes shall be
contained at least 50 feet from any abutting lot line of a residentially used lot,
and at least 50 feet from any year-round surface water body.
I've been able to gather some information (see animal code below) about the current domestic animal requirements, but it's vague and I'm not sure if it applies to my scenario or even hens.
My Scenario:
Chickens: 3 hens
Lot Size: 80,000 square feet+.
Abutting lot line: greater than 50 feet
Surface Water body: None
Based on the town animal requirements (listed below) do I need a permit to have a chicken coop?
Is a permit necessary if I have just hens?
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Link to PDF File:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chelmsford Animal Code
-----------------------------------------------------------
201-3. Permit required.
No person shall keep within the limits of this town in any buildings or on any premises of
which he or she may be the owner, lessee, tenant or occupant any cows, goats, swine,
roosters, gobblers, turkeys, ducks, pigeons or rabbits without a permit from the Board of
Health. All such permits expire annually on December 31 and may be revoked by the
Board at any time for cause.
201-4. Maintenance of premises.
The owners or persons in control of any buildings or premises in which goats, cows, swine,
roosters, gobblers, turkeys, ducks, pigeons or rabbits are kept shall keep the buildings and
premises clean and free from decaying food, filth, dirt and stagnant water. The buildings
and pens shall be whitewashed or disinfected and put in such condition as may be ordered
by the Board of Health.
201-5. Barns, stables and yards.
The owner or other person or persons having control of any existing building or buildings
hereafter erected or converted into a barn for the stabling of horses or other domestic
animals shall keep their barns, stables and yards clean and shall provide a pit constructed
of cement or other suitable material for the reception of manure and other refuse matter.
Wherever a public sewer is accessible, the Board of Health will decide as to the
advisability of connecting such building with such public sewer.
22. Amend Article IV Special Regulation, by deleting subsection 4160. Animals
Accessory to Dwellings, and substituting the following in its place:
4160. Animals Accessory to Dwelling. Cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, goats, gamebirds,
or similar livestock may be maintained accessory to a dwelling only on a lot
having an area of not less than 40,000 square feet plus 15,000 square feet per
large animal (25 pounds or heavier at maturity) in excess of one or per ten
smaller animals in excess of the first ten. Such animals and their wastes shall be
contained at least 50 feet from any abutting lot line of a residentially used lot,
and at least 50 feet from any year-round surface water body.
