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Can I keep backyard chickens in Reading, Massachusetts?

Reading, Middlesex County · Bylaws checked 2026-10-20 · Reviewed · 16 cited sections

Allowed with a permit

Yes, with an annual license from the Reading Board of Health. A license covers up to 6 poultry per property unless the Board approves a plan for more, and roosters aren't allowed anywhere in town. Your application must include a plot plan, manure and feed plans, and notice to your abutters, who can object at a hearing.

LicenseRequired from the Board of Health [1]
License termExpires June 30 each year [11]
Max poultry per property (regulation)6, unless the Board approves a plan for more [3]
Fee schedule listingBirds, fowl (maximum 24): $10 [4]
RoostersNot allowed in Reading [7]
Coop spaceAt least 2.5 sq ft of enclosed space per chicken [8]
Fines$50 / $100 / $150 (non-criminal disposition) [10]
Maximum fineUp to $1,000 per violation [16]

Board of Health license

Reading's Board of Health regulation on Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013) requires a license to keep poultry, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine or domesticated pigeons [1]. "Poultry" includes chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, turkeys and similar birds [2]. Licenses expire June 30 each year, aren't transferable, and the fee is set by the Board's fee schedule [11].

How many birds

The regulation caps a license at 6 poultry per property, unless you present a plan consistent with state or federal agricultural guidelines that the Board finds adequate [3]. The Board's fee schedule lists "Birds, Fowl (maximum 24)" at $10 [4]. That's a different number, so expect the 6-bird rule unless the Board approves your plan for more. No roosters may be kept in Reading [7].

What to submit

Your application must include the number, types and source of the birds. It also needs written proof that your abutters have been notified, since they may raise grievances at a public hearing. Add a plot plan showing coop and run distances from abutters' structures and property lines, plus written plans for manure disposal and feed storage [5]. Submit plans to the Board and get approval before building a coop or other animal shelter [12].

Coop standards

Shelters must be soundly built, ventilated, screened, drained, and not in an area subject to flooding. They must also comply with zoning [6]. Each chicken needs at least 2.5 sq ft of enclosed space [8]. Birds must come from NPIP pullorum-clean sources [13], and new birds must be kept in a separate pen for at least 14 days [14].

Zoning

The Zoning Bylaw defines agriculture as keeping plants or animals for sale or lease for commercial purposes [16], and agriculture on lots under 5 acres needs a CPDC special permit. Pens and housing for livestock must then be 50 feet from property lines [9]. A small backyard flock that isn't kept for sale is regulated mainly by the Board of Health.

Violations carry fines of $50, $100 and $150, and up to $1,000 per violation [10][15].

See how Reading compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on backyard chickens →

Next steps

  1. Call the Reading Public Health Department (781-942-9061) for the animal permit application, or apply online through the town's permit portal.
  2. Prepare a plot plan showing the coop and run with distances to property lines and neighbors' buildings, plus written manure and feed storage plans.
  3. Supply stamped envelopes so the Health Department can notify your abutters, then attend the Board of Health hearing if one is held.
  4. Keep 6 hens or fewer (no roosters) unless the Board approves a larger plan, and renew the license by June 30 each year.

Common questions

Can I have chickens in Reading, Massachusetts?
Yes, with an annual license from the Reading Board of Health. The license expires June 30 each year, and the application needs a plot plan, manure and feed plans, and notice to your abutters.
How many chickens can I have in Reading, MA?
Up to 6 poultry per property under the Board of Health regulation, unless the Board approves a plan for more. The fee schedule separately lists "Birds, Fowl (maximum 24)" at $10, so expect the 6-bird rule unless your plan is approved.
Are roosters allowed in Reading, Massachusetts?
No. Roosters aren't allowed anywhere in Reading.
How big does a chicken coop need to be in Reading, MA?
Each chicken needs at least 2.5 sq ft of enclosed space. Submit plans to the Board of Health and get approval before building the coop, which must be ventilated, drained and not in an area subject to flooding.

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 Reading's published bylaws. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. BOH Reg. §2.4.1, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 2
    2.4.1 No person shall keep within the limits of the Town of Reading, in any building or on any premises of which he is the owner, lessee, tenant, or occupant, any horse, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, or domesticated pigeons without first obtaining a license from the Board.
  2. BOH Reg. §2.3 Definitions, Poultry, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 2
    Poultry: shall include, but is not limited to, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, peafowl, pheasants, partridges, quail and turkey.
  3. BOH Reg. §2.4.4, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 2
    2.4.4 No license shall be issued for more than 14 pigeons or 6 poultry per property, unless the applicant presents a plan consistent with guidelines promulgated by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and/or the United States Department of Agriculture that
  4. BOH Reg. Section 22 Fee Schedule, Animals, Board of Health Regulations Section 22 - Fee Schedule (animal permit fees), p. 1
    ANIMALS – Effective July 1st Animals: Birds, Fowl (maximum 24) $10.00
  5. BOH Reg. §2.5.2.e-f, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 3
    e Written verification that each abutter has been notified of the applicant’s intent and informed that they have the right to express grievances, if any, to the Board at/or before a Public Hearing. Notification will be sent to abutters by the Health Department with stamped envelopes supplied by the Applicant.
  6. BOH Reg. §2.7.5, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 3
    2.7.5 All shelters and corrals shall have sufficient drainage to prevent the collection of water inside said confines. No shelter or corral shall be located in an area subject to flooding.
  7. BOH Reg. §2.10.1, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 4
    2.10.1 No rooster shall be kept in the Town of Reading.
  8. BOH Reg. §2.9.5, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 4
    2.9.5 Each chicken must have a minimum of 2.5 square feet of enclosed living space unless the applicant can demonstrate that the space proposed is consistent with generally acceptable agricultural procedures as defined in Section 2.3 above.
  9. §5.6.3 Agricultural Uses, Town of Reading Zoning Bylaw ('Zoning Bylaw - April 2025', last amended by the April 28, 2025 ATM Art. 16), p. 54
    b Any structures used for garaging or screening of tools, farm machinery or vehicles or for providing housing, pens or enclosures for livestock shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from any property line.
  10. BOH Reg. §2.14 Penalties, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 5
    If enforced by means of Non-Criminal Disposition, fines shall be $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation, and $150 for the third and any subsequent violation.
  11. BOH Reg. §2.4.3, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 2
    2.4.3 Said license shall expire on June 30 of each year. Fees for such license shall be included in the Board of Health Fee Schedule.
  12. BOH Reg. §2.7.8, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 3
    2.7.8 Any person wishing to remodel or construct a building or any portion thereof which is currently or will be used as a stable or other animal shelter shall submit plans to do so to the Board for approval prior to any construction.
  13. BOH Reg. §2.9.2, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 4
    2.9.2 All poultry shall be purchased from S. pullorum clean sources from National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) participants.
  14. BOH Reg. §2.9.4, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 4
    2.9.4 New birds must be in a separate pen as far from the resident birds as possible for at least 14 days.
  15. BOH Reg. §2.14.3, Board of Health Regulations Section 02 - Keeping of Animals (effective April 5, 2013), p. 5
    2.14.3 Any person found in violation of these regulations may be fined not more than $1,000 per violation.
  16. §2.0 Definitions, Agriculture, Town of Reading Zoning Bylaw ('Zoning Bylaw - April 2025', last amended by the April 28, 2025 ATM Art. 16), p. 6
    Agriculture: The production, keeping or maintenance, for sale or lease, of plants or animals for commercial purposes.
This page summarizes Reading's posted bylaws as of 2026-10-20. Bylaws are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Building Division / Inspectional Services, Public Services Department (Building Inspector/Commissioner is the Zoning Bylaw enforcement officer, Zoning Bylaw s.4.2), Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading MA 01867 (Mon-Thu 7:00 AM-5:30 PM, closed Fridays); Permits Coordinator 781-942-6620; Conservation 781-942-6616; Public Health 781-942-9061; Planning/CPDC 781-942-6670 (781-942-6613) before you build. Spot an error?