Town Permit Guide

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Can I keep backyard chickens in Belmont, Massachusetts?

Belmont, Middlesex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-03 · Reviewed · 9 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes, with a Keeping of Animals permit from the Belmont Board of Health. You can keep up to 6 chickens or ducks per household; roosters need a specific permit, and the coop must be at least 10 ft from side and rear lot lines and 40 ft from any neighbor's house. Zoning lists "keeping of livestock" as needing a special permit in residential districts, so ask the Building Division whether that applies to hens.

PermitBoard of Health Keeping of Animals Permit, renewed annually (expires Dec. 31) [1]
Max number6 chickens or ducks per household [2]
RoostersOnly with a specifically issued permit [2]
Coop setback from lot lines / street10 ft from a sideline, rearline or public way [3]
Setback from neighbor's house40 ft from any abutting dwelling [4]
Setback from wetland100 ft [3]
Coop spaceAt least 1.5 sq ft of floor space per mature bird [5]
Egg salesNot allowed [6]
Livestock (zoning)Keeping livestock other than domestic pets needs a special permit in residential districts [9]

Board of Health permit

Belmont regulates backyard poultry through the Board of Health's regulations on exotic, non-domestic and farm animals (effective July 1, 2012). "Poultry" includes chickens [8], and anyone keeping one or more of these animals needs a Keeping of Animals Permit [1]. The application goes to the Health Department and includes a plot plan, zoning sign-off from the Building Commissioner, a manure management plan, a pest management plan, and an emergency plan. The Board holds a hearing within 30 days of a complete application and decides within 45 days after it closes. Permits expire December 31 each year and must be renewed at least 45 days ahead [7].

Number of birds and roosters

The limit is 6 chickens or ducks per household, and roosters are allowed only with a specific permit [2]. The Animal Inspector or Health Department can lower the number if your coop is too small. Coops need at least 1.5 sq ft of floor space per mature bird and must be disinfected at least three times a year [5]. Coops are inspected yearly, and eggs may not be sold [6].

Where the coop can go

The coop or area where animals are kept must be at least 100 ft from a wetland and 10 ft from a side line, rear line or public way [3], 40 ft from any abutting dwelling, and 100 ft from any drinking-water well [4]. Manure must be stored in a receptacle at least 30 ft from side and rear lot lines and 200 ft from abutting dwellings, which can be hard to meet on a small lot; off-site disposal may be required.

Zoning

The facility must comply with zoning before the Board of Health approves it. The Zoning By-Law's use table lists "keeping of livestock other than domestic pets" as needing a special permit in the Single Residence and General Residence districts [9]. The by-law doesn't define livestock, so ask the Building Division whether a small hen flock falls under that line.

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Next steps

  1. Ask the Building Division (617-993-2650) whether your coop needs zoning approval or a special permit, and get the Building Commissioner's sign-off the Health Department application asks for.
  2. Sketch a plot plan showing the coop at least 10 ft from side/rear lines, 40 ft from neighboring houses, and the manure container location.
  3. Get the poultry/Keeping of Animals permit application from the Belmont Health Department, pay the fee, and submit it with your manure and pest management plans.
  4. Have the coop inspected and approved by the Animal Inspector or Health Department agent before bringing birds home; renew the permit each year.

Common questions

Can I keep chickens in Belmont, Massachusetts?
Yes, with a Keeping of Animals permit from the Board of Health. Zoning lists "keeping of livestock" as needing a special permit in residential districts, so ask the Building Division whether that applies to hens.
How many chickens can I have in Belmont, Massachusetts?
Up to 6 chickens or ducks per household. The coop needs at least 1.5 sq ft of floor space per mature bird, and eggs may not be sold.
Can I have a rooster in Belmont, Massachusetts?
Only with a specifically issued permit.
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbors in Belmont, Massachusetts?
At least 10 ft from side and rear lot lines and the public way, and 40 ft from any abutting dwelling. It must also be 100 ft from a wetland and 100 ft from any drinking-water well.

Massachusetts state rules on backyard poultry

Massachusetts has no statewide right to keep backyard hens. Whether you can keep chickens, how many, and where the coop goes are set locally, through your town's zoning bylaw and Board of Health regulations.

  • Board of Health power: under M.G.L. c. 111, §31, local boards of health may adopt "reasonable health regulations", and many use this power to require a permit to keep poultry. Violations can bring fines of up to $1,000. In towns with an agricultural commission, the board must send that commission any proposed rule affecting the non-commercial keeping of poultry, livestock or bees for a 45-day review.
  • Agricultural zoning protection is for farms, not most backyards: c. 40A, §3 stops zoning from banning or requiring a special permit for commercial agriculture. Towns may limit that protection to parcels of 5 acres or more, or 2 acres or more if the land produces at least $1,000 per acre a year in sales. A typical backyard flock doesn't qualify.
  • Annual barn inspections: your town's animal inspector, working under the state Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), does annual barn inspections and a census of livestock and poultry. Backyard flock owners may be contacted.
  • Nuisance rules still apply: a board of health may also regulate or prohibit an activity that causes a nuisance or offensive odors (c. 111, §143).

State sources: M.G.L. c. 111, §31 (board of health regulations) · M.G.L. c. 111, §143 (noisome trades, nuisances) · M.G.L. c. 40A, §3 (agricultural use protection) · MDAR, Municipal Animal Inspector Resources (barn inspections, backyard flock biosecurity)

What the bylaw says

Exact text from Belmont's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Section 5. Permit and Application Requirements, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 4
    A permit is required for anyone keeping one or more animals as defined in this regulation.
  2. Section 9(A) Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 7
    A. No rooster(s) shall be allowed unless a permit is specifically issued. An application shall be furnished by the Health Department. A limit of six (6) chickens or ducks are allowed per household.
  3. Section 4(B) General Requirements, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 3
    B. The facility or location of animals shall be no less than: 1. 100 feet from a Wetland as defined by M.G.L. c. 131, §40. 2. 10 feet from a sideline, rearline or public way.
  4. Section 4(B)(3)-(4) General Requirements, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 4
    3. 40 feet from any abutting dwelling. 4. 100 feet from any well, public or private, used as a drinking water supply
  5. Section 9(B) Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 7
    B. There shall be at least (1.5) square feet of floor space for each mature poultry kept within the coop.
  6. Section 9(E) Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 8
    E. At no time are any eggs to be sold.
  7. Section 5(F) Permit and Application Requirements, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 5
    F. Permits shall expire on December 31st of each year, unless sooner revoked by the Board of Health upon violation of any of the provisions of these regulations.
  8. Section 3. Definitions, Poultry, Board of Health Regulations Governing the Keeping of Exotic, Non Domestic and Farm Animals on Residential Property, p. 3
    Poultry: refers to domesticated or semi-domesticated birds including chickens, ordinarily kept for food, pets, or eggs.
  9. §3.3 Schedule of Use Regulations, Agriculture, Zoning By-Law (as amended through March 3, 2025; approved July 2, 2025) - complete town PDF, p. 35
    Keeping of livestock other than domestic pets SP SP N N N N Y N
This page summarizes Belmont's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-03. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Office of Planning & Building - Building Division (Inspector of Buildings / Code Enforcement) (617-993-2650 (code enforcement 617-993-2657)) before you build. Spot an error?