What dog owners in Boston need to know — license and leash rules — in plain English, each linked to the official Boston page it came from.
Dogs older than six months must be licensed every year before April 1: $15 if spayed or neutered (with proof), $30 if intact. Owners 70 and older and service animals pay nothing. An unlicensed dog can bring a $50 fine.
Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 137 · Get or renew a license →
Off your property a dog must be on a leash and under control. In city parks the leash may be up to eight feet, dogs are banned from posted Dog Free Zones, and they may run off leash only in designated dog recreation spaces.
Source: Boston Parks rules
Not covered yet: pet limits, barking — we only publish a rule when we can link to the official page. Ask Boston 311 or animal services.
Yes. Massachusetts requires dogs over 6 months to be licensed with the city or town clerk, with proof of rabies vaccination.
Massachusetts has no general statewide leash law, but dogs must be on a chain or leash in public highway rest areas, and a city or town may order all dogs restrained. Day-to-day leash rules are local.
Yes. Massachusetts requires dogs, cats and ferrets 6 months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Boosters follow the vaccine used (usually every 1 or 3 years).
At the start of a tenancy a Massachusetts landlord may collect only first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of no more than one month's rent and the cost of a new lock — so a separate pet deposit is not allowed.
When FDA announces a dog or cat food recall, we email you the brand, the product and what to do.
Or follow the RSS feedGeneral information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, often every year — the official page linked under each answer is the final word. Counties and homeowner associations may add their own rules.
