Can I keep backyard chickens in Walpole, Massachusetts?
Yes, with a Board of Health animal permit. Zoning allows a small noncommercial flock of poultry in all residential districts, and the Board of Health regulations set no fixed hen limit: the number depends on space (at least 9 sq ft of roaming area per bird), and the coop must be at least 10 feet from any lot line. Roosters are not permitted if they create a noise nuisance.
| Zoning | Small flock of poultry allowed by right in RA, RB, GR, R and PSRC (not in B, CBD, HB, LM) [1] |
| Permit | Board of Health animal permit required before keeping poultry [2] |
| Application fee | $25 for penned animals [2] |
| Coop setback | 10 feet from any lot line [4] |
| Space per hen | At least 9 sq ft of roaming area; 3 sq ft of housing per animal [5] |
| Roosters | Not permitted if creating a noise nuisance [6] |
| Annual permit fee | $10 for 6 or fewer poultry; $15 for more than 6 [8] |
| Manure storage | At least 100 ft from any property line [7] |
Zoning
The zoning use table allows "the raising or keeping of a small flock of poultry" and other animals for private, noncommercial purposes by right in the Residence A, Residence B, General Residence, Rural and PSRC districts [1]. It is prohibited in the business and limited manufacturing districts.
Board of Health permit
Under Chapter 587 of the Board of Health regulations, anyone keeping animals other than household pets, including poultry, must first get a Board of Health animal permit, applied for online through OpenGov, with a $25 application fee for penned animals [2]. You submit a scaled plan showing the coop's distances from abutters' lot lines and homes, any wetlands or floodplain, and a manure management plan. The Board inspects the property and reviews the application at a meeting, and you must notify abutters (owners within 150 feet) 14 to 30 days beforehand by certified letter or signed receipt [3]. Permits are renewed annually by December 31 after an inspection; the annual fee is $10 for six or fewer birds and $15 for more [8].
Flock size, coop and roosters
The regulations don't cap the number of hens. Instead, the number depends on the roaming area you provide, at a minimum of 9 square feet per bird [5]. Coops must protect the birds from the elements, give at least 3 square feet of space per animal, and sit at least 10 feet from any lot line [4]. Roosters, guinea hens or other birds that create a noise nuisance are not permitted [6]. Chicks under six months living with their mother aren't counted.
Manure
All permit holders need an approved manure management plan. Manure and soiled bedding can't be stored within 10 feet of your house or within 100 feet of any property line [7], and stockpiles must be removed at least every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter. On many suburban lots no spot is 100 feet from every line, so ask the Board of Health early how it handles this; it can approve a customized manure plan or grant a variance.
Other livestock
Goats, sheep, horses and pigs fall under separate grazing-animal and pig rules with minimum lot sizes, and their shelters must be 50 feet from lot lines.
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Next steps
- Confirm your lot is in a residential district (RA, RB, GR or R).
- Prepare a scaled plot plan showing the coop, run, distances to lot lines and neighbors' homes, wetlands, and a manure management plan.
- Apply for a Board of Health animal permit through the town's OpenGov portal (walpolema.viewpointcloud.com) and pay the $25 fee; Board of Health phone 508-660-7321.
- Notify abutters within 150 feet of the Board of Health meeting date 14 to 30 days ahead, by certified letter, and keep the receipts.
Common questions
- Can I have chickens in Walpole, Massachusetts?
- Yes, with a Board of Health animal permit. Zoning allows a small noncommercial flock of poultry by right in the Residence A, Residence B, General Residence, Rural and PSRC districts, but not in business or limited manufacturing districts.
- How many chickens can you have in Walpole, Massachusetts?
- There is no fixed hen limit. The number depends on space: at least 9 sq ft of roaming area per bird, with at least 3 sq ft of coop space per animal.
- Do you need a permit to have chickens in Walpole, Massachusetts?
- Yes. You must get a Board of Health animal permit before keeping poultry, applied for online through OpenGov with a $25 application fee. Abutters within 150 feet must be notified, and permits renew annually at $10 for six or fewer birds and $15 for more.
- Are roosters allowed in Walpole, Massachusetts?
- Roosters, guinea hens or other birds that create a noise nuisance are not permitted. The rule is nuisance-based rather than an outright ban.
- How far does a chicken coop have to be from the property line in Walpole, Massachusetts?
- A coop must be at least 10 feet from any lot line. Manure can't be stored within 100 feet of any property line, which may be hard on small lots, so ask the Board of Health early about a customized plan or variance.
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
- Table 5-B.1, Use Table, 3.l, Zoning Bylaws (Revised Through October 2025), p. 21
l. The raising or keeping of a small flock of poultry or a saddle horses, livestock, or other animals for private and A A A A A X X X X A 6 noncommercial purposes.
- § 587-2.A, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 3
Prior to keeping any animals, other than household pets, within the Town of Walpole, the person owning or keeping the animals shall apply to the BOH for a permit. Official Town of Walpole animal permit applications are online through OpenGov (https://walpolema.viewpointcloud.com) and can be obtained from the Town of Walpole website. The applicant shall provide the Board of Health with a completed, official application along with an application fee of $25 for penned animals, $50 for grazing animals.
- § 587-3.B, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 3
Verification that all abutters have been notified, not more than 30 but no less than 14 days in advance of the hearing before the Board of Health, of the applicant’s intent.
- § 587-6.A, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 5
All housing for penned animals shall: (1) Provide adequate protection for the animals from the elements. (2) Provide for the animals, fresh food, water, adequate air space and adequate ventilation. (3) Be a minimum of 10 feet from any lot line (4) Provide a minimum of 3 square feet of space per animal
- § 587-6.E, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 5
The number of hens allowed shall be determined by the amount of square footage of the area provided (or roaming area) for the hens, not by the whole lot unless the whole lot is enclosed as a roaming area for the hens. A minimum of 9 square feet per bird shall be provided.
- § 587-6.D, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 5
No animals or birds (i.e., roosters, guinea hens, etc.), if creating a noise nuisance (as verified by the Board of Health or its designee), shall be permitted.
- § 587-7.B(7), Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 6
No manure, wastes and soiled bedding from stables, corrals, coops or pens shall be stored within 10 feet from a permit holder's residence nor within 100 feet from any property line.
- § 587-13.A-B, Board of Health - Regulations for the Control of Animals in the Town of Walpole (Ch. 587), p. 8
For penned animals, such as poultry, waterfowl, rabbits or pigeons, numbering six or less, the fee shall be $10. B. For penned animals, such as poultry, waterfowl, rabbits or pigeons, numbering more than six, the fee shall be $15.