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Can I keep backyard chickens in Sudbury, Massachusetts?

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

Allowed with board review

Probably, but check two approvals first. Sudbury's Zoning Bylaw lets the Zoning Board of Appeals grant a special permit for nonexempt raising of poultry, though its use table lists nonexempt agriculture as allowed in residential districts, so ask the Building Department which applies. Board of Health rules cap a residential flock at 12 birds over 16 weeks old, require the coop to be at least 50 feet from any dwelling or property line, and ban roosters on lots of 2 acres or less.

Zoning approvalSpecial permit from the Board of Appeals for nonexempt raising of poultry (any district) [1]
Board of Health licenseMay be needed: a coop fits the regulation's definition of a 'stable', which needs a BOH license [9]
Max flock (residential)12 poultry over 16 weeks old [2]
Coop setback50 feet from any dwelling or adjacent property line (more if zoning requires) [3]
RoostersNot allowed on premises of 2 acres or less [4]
Coop locationNot in a building connected to the house [5]
Coop floor spaceAt least 3 feet of floor space per mature bird (as written; likely square feet) [6]
Horses/livestockOnly in a stable licensed by the Board of Health [7]

Zoning: special permit

Sudbury's Zoning Bylaw doesn't list backyard hens as a by-right accessory use. Section 2313 says the Board of Appeals "may grant a special permit for the nonexempt raising of swine, poultry, furbearing animals" in any district and may attach conditions [1]. A special permit is discretionary and involves a public hearing. Agricultural uses exempt under state law (generally larger farm parcels) are handled separately. However, the bylaw's use table lists "Agricultural use, nonexempt" as allowed (Y) in the A and C residence districts [8], which conflicts with the special-permit rule. Ask the Building Department which one it applies to a small non-commercial flock.

Board of Health poultry rules

The Board of Health's Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals (2013) define a "stable" as any building or structure where animals are sheltered or fed [10], and no stable may be built or used without a Board of Health license [9]. Because "animal" covers everything except household dogs and cats, a coop may need a license; confirm with the Board of Health. The rules also set these limits:

  • Flock size: no more than 12 poultry over 16 weeks old in a residential area. The Animal Inspector can lower that number if the coop is too small or in poor condition [2].
  • Coop setback: at least 50 feet from any dwelling or adjacent property line, or the zoning setback if that's greater [3]. On many smaller lots this is the hardest rule to meet.
  • Coop design: at least 3 feet of floor space per mature bird (as written; read it as square feet), regular cleaning, and full disinfection at least three times a year [6]. Fowl may not be kept in a building connected to the house [5].
  • Roosters: not allowed on premises of 2 acres or less [4].
  • Keepers must follow MDAR best practices and keep vaccinations and testing current. Facilities must be fenced so birds can't roam off the lot.

Other animals

Horses and livestock (cows, sheep, goats, swine, alpacas, llamas) may be kept only in a stable licensed by the Board of Health [7]. Stables must be 150 feet from neighbors' homes and 100 feet from the owner's home and wells. Swine also need a Board of Health site assignment.

Penalties

Board of Health violations can bring fines of up to $100 per violation, with each day counted separately.

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

Next steps

  1. Measure whether a coop can sit 50 feet from your house, neighbors' homes and every property line.
  2. Ask the Building Department (978-440-5461) whether your flock needs a Section 2313 special permit; if so, apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
  3. Contact the Board of Health / Animal Inspector to confirm any permit or registration and plan for inspection of the coop.
  4. Keep vaccination records for each bird ready for Board of Health inspection.

Common questions

Can I keep chickens in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
Probably, but check two approvals first. Zoning lets the Board of Appeals grant a special permit for nonexempt poultry raising, though the use table lists nonexempt agriculture as allowed, so ask the Building Department which applies. A Board of Health license may also be needed.
How many chickens can I have in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
Board of Health rules cap a residential flock at 12 poultry over 16 weeks old.
Can I have a rooster in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
No, not on premises of 2 acres or less.
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor in Sudbury, Massachusetts?
At least 50 feet from any dwelling or adjacent property line, or more if zoning requires. The coop can't be in a building connected to the house.

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

  1. Sec. 2313, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 19
    2313. The Board of Appeals may grant a special permit for the nonexempt raising of swine, poultry, furbearing animals, and the operation of kennels in any district; in accordance with Section 6200, such Board may impose such restrictions with respect to the conduct thereof as in its judgment may seem necessary for the general welfare of the Town.
  2. BOH Animal Regs §6.E Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 6
    E. The maximum number of poultry in a coop or otherwise enclosed in a residential area shall be no more than twelve (12) over the age of 16 weeks.
  3. BOH Animal Regs §6.C Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 6
    C. Coops or an enclosed area providing shelter for Poultry shall be at least fifty (50) feet from any dwelling or adjacent property line, unless the zoning district requires a greater setback from the property line, in which case the coop must comply with the required setback.
  4. BOH Animal Regs §3.a General Requirements, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 3
    a. No person shall keep or allow to be kept within the limits of the Town in any building or any premises two (2) acres or less which they may be the owner, lessee, tenant, or occupant, any swine or rooster.
  5. BOH Animal Regs §6.D Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 6
    D. No person shall keep any fowl in a building connected to the dwelling.
  6. BOH Animal Regs §6.B Keeping of Poultry, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 6
    B. There shall be at least three (3) feet of floor space for each mature Poultry kept within the coop.
  7. BOH Animal Regs §2(b) Horse and Livestock, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 3
    (b) HORSE AND No person shall maintain a horse (or horses) or livestock LIVESTOCK anywhere in the Town of Sudbury except in a stable for which a license has been issued by the Board of Health.
  8. Appendix A, Table of Principal Use Regulations, C.1, Zoning Bylaw, Article IX (effective May 3, 2023) - town PDF, p. 174
    1. Agricultural use, nonexempt Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
  9. BOH Animal Regs §2(a) Stable Building, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 3
    No person shall erect, occupy, or use a stable, any building or portion thereof or any other facility, in the Town of Sudbury until a license authorizing such use is granted by the Board of Health.
  10. BOH Animal Regs §1 Definitions, Board of Health Rules & Regulations for Stables and Keeping of Animals, p. 2
    Stables: A building or structure in which animals are sheltered and/ or fed.
This page summarizes Sudbury'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 Building Department (Building Inspector / Zoning Enforcement Agent) ((978) 440-5461) before you build. Spot an error?