The Board of Health of the Town of Sharon, acting under the
authority of MGL c. 111, §§ 31, 122, 143, and 155,
and amendments and additions thereto, and by any other powers thereto
enabling, and in accordance therewith, has, in the interest of and
for the preservation of the public health, duly made and adopted,
on June 1, 2009, the following regulations for the control of domesticated
animals in the Town of Sharon.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ABUTTER
The owners or tenants of property which adjoins the lot upon
which domesticated animals are to be kept, whether or not said properties
are separated by a public way.
ABUTTERS' LIST
The list of owners or tenants of property abutting the lot
and/or across a public or private way from the lot on which domesticated
animals are to be kept.
ANIMAL UNIT
The following shall each be regarded as a single animal unit
for permitting purposes:
|
Horse, donkey, mule, pony, alpaca
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1
|
|
Bovine
|
1
|
|
Goats, llamas
|
2
|
|
Swine
|
2
|
|
Rabbits
|
7
|
|
Chickens
|
10
|
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Other fowl
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As determined by Animal Inspector
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BOARD OF HEALTH
Under Article
13, consists of Board of Health members, its agents, and the Animal Inspector.
BUILDING (SEE "STRUCTURE")
A structure built, erected and framed of component structural
parts, designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure and support of
domesticated animals.
COOP
A small structure for housing fowl.
DOMESTICATED ANIMALS
All mammals and birds, including but not limited to horses,
ponies, goats, swine, cattle, sheep, donkeys, llamas, mules, and fowl,
which are kept or harbored as domesticated animals, provided that
the following are not addressed by these regulations; dogs, cats,
Rodentia up to five in number, wild domesticated animals, exotic birds,
fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
FOWL
Members of the bird family, including but not limited to
chickens, turkeys, pigeons, doves, capons, hens, pheasants, guinea
fowl, ducks, swans and geese other than wild species.
LOT
A piece of property in single ownership on which domesticated
animals are being kept.
NOISE
Sound of sufficient intensity and/or duration as to cause
a nuisance, be injurious to, or, on the basis of current information,
potentially injurious to human health, or unreasonably interfere with
the comfortable enjoyment of life and property.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation, firm, association,
or group.
RODENTIA
Includes domestic rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets,
chinchillas, and other members of the Rodentia family.
SHELTER
A structure to house small domesticated animals.
STABLE
A structure having stalls or compartments in which large
domesticated animals such as horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, or ponies
are housed.
STRUCTURE
An assembly of materials forming a construction for use,
including, but not limited to, open sheds, shelters, stables, and
fences.
UNSANITARY CONDITIONS
Conditions which, in the opinion of the Board of Health and/or
its agent(s), are conducive to the breeding of flies, creation of
offensive odors, rodent infestation, liquid effluent or runoff, or
other public health hazard.
All domesticated animal permits must be renewed on an annual
basis. The following information must be completed:
A. An application form provided by the Sharon Board of Health, along
with the required fee;
B. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Board shall inspect
the property;
C. If the application is approved by the Board, the renewal permit will
be left at the property following inspection; and
D. The issuance of such a permit does not in any way relieve the permittee
of the necessity to comply with other laws and regulations concerning
zoning and construction.
The fee for a permit shall be $30 per year, which shall cover
all animals licensed by the Board of Health on the property under
this regulation, and which shall be paid at the time the application
is submitted for review. New permit fees shall not be prorated. Fees
will not be refunded if the application is not approved. Permits granted
shall be for a term of not to exceed one year expiring on November
15, unless sooner revoked. Permits shall be neither transferable as
to other domesticated animals nor assignable for the use of other
persons nor as to the use of other premises.
Each permit granted hereunder shall contain a statement of the
number and type of domesticated animals permitted and such conditions
as may be required by the Board of Health.
The Animal Inspector, agent(s) of the Board, or any member of
the Board of Health shall have the right to make an inspection at
any time in accordance with MGL c. 111, § 127B.