Can I keep backyard chickens in Hingham, Massachusetts?
Yes. Under Hingham's Board of Health animal regulation, 10 chickens count as one "animal unit," and a Keeping of Animals Permit is needed only at 1.5 animal units (15 or more chickens). Roosters always need a specific permit, and coops need at least 3 sq ft of floor space per bird.
| Animal-unit value of chickens | 10 chickens = 1 animal unit [1] |
| Permit threshold | 1.5 animal units (about 15 chickens) [2] |
| Roosters | Not allowed without a specific permit; abutter noise complaints can be grounds to refuse or revoke [5] |
| Coop floor space | At least 3 sq ft per mature bird [6] |
| Facility setbacks (permitted keeping) | 30 ft from side/rear lines and public ways; 100 ft from abutting dwellings, wells and wetlands [4] |
| Minimum lot (permitted keeping) | 1 acre of usable upland [3] |
| Fines | Warning, then $50, $200, up to $500 [8] |
Do you need a permit?
Hingham regulates animals through its Board of Health "Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl" (effective June 1, 2019). It counts animals in "animal units," and 10 chickens (or 10 other fowl) equal one unit [1]. A Keeping of Animals Permit is required for anyone keeping 1.5 animal units [2], so a flock of fewer than 15 hens doesn't trigger the permit by itself. The Board can still require a permit for smaller flocks if it issues a public nuisance order.
Roosters
No rooster is allowed unless a permit is specifically issued, and complaints from one or more abutters about noise are enough to refuse or revoke that permit [5].
Coop and lot standards
Every coop needs at least 3 sq ft of floor space per mature bird, must be cleaned regularly, and must be disinfected at least three times a year [6]. For permitted keeping, the general requirements call for at least 1 acre of usable upland (wetlands don't count) [3], and the facility must be at least 30 feet from side and rear lot lines and public ways, and 100 feet from wetlands, wells and any abutting dwelling [4]. Permit holders also need a manure management plan and a pest management plan, and must keep feed in sealed, vermin-proof containers.
The permit process
Applicants (15+ chickens, or any rooster) file with the Board of Health, including a plot plan, and need zoning clearance from the Building Commissioner, conservation clearance and Animal Control clearance. They must notify abutters by certified mail, and the Board holds a hearing [7]. Permits expire December 31 each year.
Penalties and zoning
Violations bring a written warning, then fines of $50, $200 and up to $500, and each day can be a separate violation [8]. The Zoning By-Law doesn't specifically mention backyard poultry.
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Next steps
- If you plan to keep fewer than 15 hens and no rooster, call the Board of Health to confirm no permit is needed for your lot.
- For 15 or more chickens or any rooster, get the Keeping of Animals Permit application from the Board of Health and prepare a plot plan, manure management plan and pest management plan.
- Get zoning clearance from the Building Commissioner (781-741-1420) and clearance from the Conservation Commission and Animal Control Officer, then notify abutters by certified mail.
- Site the coop with at least 3 sq ft per bird; for permitted flocks, keep it 30 ft from lot lines and 100 ft from neighbors' homes, wells and wetlands.
Common questions
- Can I keep chickens in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- Yes. Under the Board of Health animal regulation, 10 chickens count as one animal unit, and a Keeping of Animals Permit is needed only at 1.5 animal units (15 or more chickens).
- Can I have a rooster in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- Roosters always need a specific permit, and abutter noise complaints can be grounds to refuse or revoke it.
- How much space does a coop need in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- At least 3 sq ft of floor space per mature bird.
- How far must a chicken coop be from neighbors in Hingham, Massachusetts?
- For permitted keeping, facilities must be 30 ft from side and rear lines and public ways, and 100 ft from abutting dwellings, wells and wetlands, on at least 1 acre of usable upland.
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).
What the bylaw says
- Section 3, Definitions (Animal Units), Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 1
The Board may determine unit(s) to any animal not specifically listed below. Horse, donkey, mule, pony, llamas 1 Bovine 1 Goats, alpaca, sheep 2 Swine 2 Rabbits 7 Fowl 10 Chickens 10
- Section 5, Permit and Application Requirements, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 4
A Keeping of Animals Permit is required for anyone keeping 1.5 Animal Units as defined in this regulation.
- Section 4.A, General Requirements, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 3
Wetlands may not be used in calculating the number of Animal Units allowed on any parcel of land. Lot dimensions may be considered by the Board of Health when determining the total number of Animal Units allowed on a parcel of land. The minimum lot area shall be one (1) acre of
- Section 4.B, General Requirements, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 4
B. The Facility shall be located no less than: 1. 100 feet from a Wetland as defined by MGL chapter 131, section 40. 2. 30 feet from a sideline, rearline or public way 3. 100 feet from any abutting dwelling.
- Section 10.A, Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 8
No rooster shall be allowed unless a permit is specifically issued. An application shall be furnished by the Board of Health. It shall be adequate cause for refusing or revoking a permit to keep a rooster if one or more abutters complain of its presence by reason of noise.
- Section 10.B, Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 8
There shall be at least three (3) square foot of floor space for each mature Poultry kept within the coop. Coops shall be cleaned regularly to maintain sanitary conditions and thoroughly disinfected at least three times a year.
- Section 5.B, Permit and Application Requirements, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 5
The initial applicant/application shall meet and receive zoning clearance from the Hingham Building Commissioner. A special permit may be necessary from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Section 15, Fines and Penalties, Board of Health Regulation Governing the Keeping of Animals and Fowl, p. 10
First offense: Written Warning Second offense: $50.00 Third offense: $200.00 Subsequence offenses: Up to $500.00