Massachusetts Local Ordinances

Current Legislation

• Bill – 2023001 – BOSTON, MA CITY COUNCIL (GOV’T OPERATIONS COMM)

  Summary:

  Amends Chapter XVI (Prohibitions, Penalties & Permits), Section 16-1.9G (Sale of Animals), Subsection 16-1.9G.2 (Prohibition) of the City Code of Boston, MA to include guinea pigs in the existing prohibition on the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by city pet stores.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  BOSTON, MA CITY COUNCIL (GOV’T OPERATIONS COMM)

  Bill Action:

  INTRODUCED AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON 3/22/23

• Bill – 2023002 – BRAINTREE, MA CITY COUNCIL (ORDINANCE & RULES COMMITTEE)

  Summary:

  Proposed ordinance would amend Title 6 (Animals) of Braintree, MA Code by adding a new section to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in town pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  BRAINTREE, MA CITY COUNCIL (ORDINANCE & RULES COMMITTEE)

  Bill Action:

  INTRODUCED AND REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON 3/21/23

• Bill – 2023003 – NORTH ANDOVER, MA SELECT BOARD

  Summary:

  Ordinance amends Part II (General Legislation), Chapter 60 (Animal Control) of the Bylaws of North Andover, MA by adding a new Section 60-9 (Humane Pet Store Ordinance) to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in town pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  NORTH ANDOVER, MA SELECT BOARD

  Bill Action:

  ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY TOWN SELECT BOARD AT ANNUAL MEETING ON 5/16/23 – EFFECTIVE UPON APPROVAL BY MA ATTY. GENERAL

• Bill – 2020004 – NORTH ADAMS, MA CITY COUNCIL

  Summary:

  Amends Chapter 27 (Dog Regulations) of North Adams, MA Municipal Code by adding a new Section 27-12 to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in city pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  NORTH ADAMS, MA CITY COUNCIL

  Bill Action:

  ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL (8-0 VOTE) ON 3/23/21 – EFFECTIVE 4/22/21

• Bill – 2021001 – SPRINGFIELD, MA CITY COUNCIL

  Summary:

  Ordinance No. 2021-2 amends Chapter 110 (Animals) of Springfield, MA City Code by adding a new Section 110-14 to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by city pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  SPRINGFIELD, MA CITY COUNCIL

  Bill Action:

  PASSED GENERAL GOV’T SUBCOMMITTEE ON 3/29/21 – ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY CITY COUNCIL ON 4/4/21 – EFFECTIVE ON 7/3/21

• Bill – 2022001 – LEXINGTON, MA TOWN COUNCIL

  Summary:

  The Humane Pet Store Ordinance amends Part 1 (General Bylaws), Chapter 9 (Animals) of the Lexington, MA Town Bylaws by adding a new Section 9-7 (Pet Shops) to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in town pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  LEXINGTON, MA TOWN COUNCIL

  Bill Action:

  ADOPTED BY TOWN COUNCIL ON 4/6/22

• Bill – 2022002 – LENOX, MA BOARD OF SELECTMEN

  Summary:

  Proposed ordinance would amend the Town Bylaws of Lenox, MA to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, or rabbits in town pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  LENOX, MA BOARD OF SELECTMEN

  Bill Action:

  TABLED FOR EDITS ON 5/22/22 – ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY BOARD ON 12/7/22

• Bill – 2022003 – ATTLEBORO, MA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

  Summary:

  Proposed ordinance amends Chapter 9 (Licenses & Permits) of the Revised Ordinances of Attleboro, MA by adding a new Section 9-48 (Humane Pet Store) to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits in city pet shops.

  Status:

  Bill Location:

  ATTLEBORO, MA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

  Bill Action:

  ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ON 10/18/22