Section 1.
No person shall keep within the limits of the Town of North Reading, or in any enclosure or building thereon situated, any horse pony or similar animal, without a permit from the Board of Health. A minimum land area of one acre (43,560 square feet) is required per animal, for the first four animals.
The owner of the horse, or his agent, must be in daily attendance a sufficient amount of time to insure, to the satisfaction of the Board of Health, that proper health and safety standards are maintained.
Section 2.
In all areas exceeding four acres, application to the Board of Health may be made for additional animals.
Section 3.
No person shall erect, occupy, or use for a stable any building in the Town of North Reading unless such use is licensed by the Board of Health. Each stable shall contain a minimum of 100 square feet from the first animal, and at least sixty (60) additional square feet for each additional animal.
Section 4.
Any person who proposes to remodel a building or a portion thereof which is being used as a stable, or who proposes to renovate any existing stable, or who proposes to construct a new building which is to be used in whole or in part as a stable shall, prior to such remodeling, renovating, or construction, submit plans in duplicate to the Board of Health for approval. After such approval, remodeling, renovating, or construction must begin within 90 days of the issuance of a permit or the permit will be null and void.
Section 5.
Sanitary Requirements:
(a) Each stable shall be furnished with an adequate and safe water supply, both for feeding and
cleaning purposes.
(b) Each stable shall have adequate drainage so as to remain dry and clean to the satisfaction of
the Health Agent.
(c) Bedding shall consist of straw, hay, or like substances but shall not contain in whole or in part
any animal fiber or textile fiber waste.
(d) All manure must be removed from the stalls at least once each day and not allowed to
accumulate in corrals or other areas.
(e) Manure shall be stored in closed containers or in a pit below ground, or may be spread if it is
plowed under within 48 hours. If manure is stored in a pit below ground, it shall be covered
with a plastic mesh tarp or equivalent, or a minimum of two inches of dry material, such as
loose dirt, to keep down fly breeding populations.
(f) Location of manure pits must be approved by the Board of Health
(g) In fly breeding seasons, manure storage shall be periodically treated with chemicals for fly
control. Any chemical approved by the Department of Agriculture shall suffice.
(h) Floors shall consist of any material acceptable to the Board of Health, such as a thin layer of
sand and clay over a gravel base.
(i) For ventilation purposes, each stable shall have an effective screened area of at least 10% of
the total floor area. Screening required may be substituted by approved electronic fly traps.
(j) Each stable shall be located on land with good drainage and not susceptible to flooding.
(k)Each stable shall be at least 50 feet from any swamp, stream, or pond, and at least a minimum
of 100 feet from any occupied abutting dwelling (this does not apply to dwelling on the lot ),
and at least 25 feet from any street or public highway.
Section 6
Those persons already possessing permits need comply with all regulations except Sections 1, 2, 3, 5 (i), and 5 (k). All other regulations must be complied with January 1, 1972.
Section 7
A permit to stable or use horses on property is not transferable.
Section 8
A permit shall cost $5.00 per horse and shall be renewable each January 1st.
Section 9
A permit may be revoked or temporarily suspended within ten days of written notice by the Board of Health upon violation by the holder of any of the provisions of these regulations.
Section 10
Any person who violates any provision of this Article shall be fined not less than $25.00, and each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
CORRALS
Definition
A corral shall be defined as a small, enclosed area, attached to or adjacent to a barn or a stable, and not exceeding 1,000 square feet in area, but not including riding rings, tracks, or pasture land.
Section 11
A corral or any area where a horse is left unattended must be adequately fenced to assure that the horses are safely restrained.
Section 12
All corrals shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any swamp, pond, or stream.
Section 13
All corrals shall be a minimum of forty (40) feet from any public highway.
Section 14
All corrals shall be a minimum of seventy-five (75) feet from abutting dwellings.
Section 15
All corrals shall be kept in a sanitary manner acceptable to the Board of Health. Droppings shall not be allowed to accumulate in corrals.
Section 16
All plans for corrals must be submitted to the Board of Health for approval.
Section 17
No animal may be brought onto the property until such time as the requirements of the above regulations are met.
| 
