Massachusetts is home to a growing number of residents who want more than a dog or cat — they want chickens in the backyard, a pair of goats on a half-acre lot, or a miniature pig living alongside the family. The idea is appealing, but the legal reality is layered. State regulations, local Board of Health permits, zoning bylaws, and setback rules all apply before a single animal sets hoof or claw on your property.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about keeping farm animals as pets in Massachusetts — from which species are legally recognized as domestic animals to how your town’s ordinances may be stricter than anything the state requires. Whether you’re in a rural corner of Franklin County or a residential neighborhood in Worcester, the rules matter and they vary significantly by location.
Pro Tip: Always contact your local Board of Health and Planning or Zoning Board before acquiring any farm animal. State law sets a floor, but municipalities frequently impose stricter limits on species, numbers, and lot requirements.
Which Farm Animals Can You Keep as Pets in Massachusetts
Massachusetts draws a clear legal line between domestic animals and wildlife. The state takes a “list” approach to animal ownership, maintaining an official exemption list under 321 CMR 9.02 that identifies domestic animals you can keep without any special state permit. Common farm animals that appear on the domestic animal list — and are therefore legal to keep without a MassWildlife license — include chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, domestic pigs (including pot-bellied pigs), goats, sheep, cattle, horses, donkeys, and rabbits…