Livestock & Poultry Rules and Regulations 

On June 9, 2025  voters approved a General Bylaw - Keeping and Raising of Livestock or Poultry.  Below are the Livestock Rules and Regulations as adopted by the Board of Health.  Permits must be filed by July 1st of each year.   Fee:  $50 Initial application and inspection, $25 renewal application and reinspection.  For questions related to the Keeping of Livestock & Poultry application please contact the town administrator office at [email protected]  413-743-1690 x. 101 or [email protected] 413-743-1690 . 100.

Livestock Bylaw Certified Vote

Livestock & Poultry Initial Application

Livestock & Poultry Rules and Regulations

In all zones other than the A-R (Agricultural/Residential), the keeping and raising of livestock or poultry shall require registration of said livestock or poultry with the Cheshire Board of Health and shall permit regular inspections by the Animal Inspector under applicable state and local law or regulations.  All permits issued by the Board of Health under this section shall include conditions of approval and direct abutter notification, the submission of evidence of such notification and registration.  The registration fee for the permit shall be set by the Board of Health.

Only selected domesticated fowl (hens, ducks, pigeons and doves), domesticated rabbits (including domesticated hares) and selected exotic mammals (potbellied pigs and dwarf goats with proper emotional support animal certification) may be raised and kept as an accessory use.  On such properties, no roosters, geese, swans, trukeys, pheasants, peacocks, guinea fowl, pygmy goats, pigs, or any other livestock or poultry shall be permitted in the R-1 District.  

No more than six total adult domesticated fowl and rabbits shall be kept on any property, regardless of the number of dwelling units.

Domesticated fowl and rabbits shall be confined with fencing or other secure enclosures which shall be set at least ten (10) feet from any property lines and twenty (20) feet from residential structures on any adjacent property.  Within such enclosure shall be provided, a secure sheltering structure (e.g., coop, dovecot, hutch or shed, as approproiate) of sufficent size to ensure the health and safety of said livestock or poultry.

The keeping of pets shall be allowed by right, such as dogs, cats and various species of rodents (rats, mice, guinea pigs, hampsters, ferrets, chinchillas etc.), exotic birds, reptiles, fish or amphibians.  The keeping of wild animals, exotic birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians as pets is subject to the requirements of MGL Chapter 131, Sections, 23, 25, 26A as amened and 321 CMR 2.12 and 9.01, as amended.