Town of Arlington
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Dog Ownership Reminders
Licenses, Dog Waste Removal, Playing Fields, Off-Leash Dog Regulations
Late Fee of $25 after March 12.
The law requires all dogs six months old or over to be licensed annually by January 1st. Email notifications for 2026 registration renewals have gone out to owners of previously registered dogs. If your dog is unlicensed, be advised you may be issued citations. Grace period ends March 12, 2026, after which late fees accrue. Register or renew licenses online or at the Town Clerk’s office with an updated rabies certificate and payment ($15 for spayed/neutered dogs, $20 for unaltered dogs).
Please Clean Up After Your Dogs
As the snow melts, significant amounts of dog waste are being uncovered. Dog waste contains harmful bacteria that can contaminate local waterways, and its presence on public and private property is both a nuisance and a violation of Town Bylaws.
Please bag and properly dispose of your pet’s waste in the garbage. Failure to do so may result in a citation. Fines are as follows.
First offense: $75.00
Second offense: $100.00
Third and each subsequent offense: $150.00
All Playing Fields Still Closed
Dog owners are asked to be mindful of pet activity on playing fields.
The Town would also like to remind residents that all playing fields are currently closed for the off-season. Seasonal closures allow our fields to recover so they are ready for play sometime in April. Public Works and Recreation ask that dog owners be mindful of pets on playing fields, especially the infields. Digging can cause significant damage resulting in costly repairs and delayed field openings.
Off-Leash Dog Regulations Reminder
Please be advised that any resident with a dog that is off leash in an unapproved location and/or time can be also cited. Fines are as follows.
First offense: $75.00
Second offense: $100.00
Third offense: $150.00
Fourth and each subsequent offense: $200.00
Learn more about dog ownership, such as rules and regulations for where and when off-leash dog activity is allowed, how to register your dog, plus a list of parks and fields at arlingtonma.gov/dogs.
Town Clerk's Office
The Town Clerk is charged with ensuring compliance with state and local laws and overseeing the Annual Town Census and all elections (Town, state, and federal), including voter registration, vote by mail, and early or absentee voting. The Town Clerk’s Office registers and maintains vital records (i.e. births, death and marriages), cemetery deeds, and zoning decisions) licenses dogs, and issues raffle permits and business certificates. The Town Clerk creates and certifies the official records of Town Meeting.
Business Certificates, dog licenses, and certified copies of vital records can be requested and paid for online. Details and links can be found by topic below.
The best way to apply for a business certificate is to complete an application online and upload supporting documents using the Town’s OpenGov portal which lets residents interact with multiple departments.
To start an application for a Business Certificate click here. You will be asked to log in if you have an existing Open Gov account or create a new account. The application system will provide links for supporting documents you may need to request from other agencies or departments.
A Business Certificate is valid for four (4) years and costs $30. Applicants must sign in person at the Town Clerk's office with valid photo ID. All owners of the business must be present to sign or arrangements must be made to have documents notarized.
If you need further assistance, feel free to call our office at 781-316-3072. If you prefer to apply in person, please make an appointment so we can have a staff member available to assist you.
You may find the following information helpful:
What is a Business Certificate? Business Certificates (commonly known as "doing business as" or "DBA" certificates) are filed with the Town Clerk so consumers can identify and locate the owner of a business that goes by a name other than the name of the owner.
What businesses must file with the Town Clerk?
- Corporation doing business under a name other than their exact legal name
- Sole proprietorships and partnerships doing business under a name that does not include surname of partner or proprietor
- Limited partnerships doing business under a name other than its true partnership name or a name which does not contain the words "Limited Partnership"
- Limited Liability Companies doing business under a name other than their exact legal name
Why is my bank requiring a business certificate? Many banks consider it a requirement for opening a business banking account. If you have any questions, please call our office.
Can I Register a Home-based Business? To operate a business in your home, you must follow the guidelines in the Zoning Bylaw regulating residential uses and obtain a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals if you serve customers or pupils in person. The Application form contains more information about that process.
How Do I Change the Names or Address on the Certificate? The Business Certificate should be kept current. Complete the amendment form to change the address of the business or owner, to change the name of the business, or to record the withdrawal of an owner or the discontinuance of the business and bring it in person to sign in the Clerk’s Office. The fee is $15 and the expiration date of the original certificate remains the same.
How Do I Renew a Business Certificate? You need to fill out a new application and, if necessary, provide a current Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. There is no reminder to renew your certificate.
A Business Certificate is not a license to operate and does not protect your business name or trademark. For details in regards to incorporation, creating partnerships and LLCs, or protecting your trademark, visit the Secretary of State's website here.
The law requires all dogs six months or over to be licensed in Arlington every year.
New Registrations
Puppies should register at six months of age. Dogs that move to Arlington should register promptly (within 30 days).
To register your dog, you will need:
• Certificate of Spaying/Neutering – required only at the initial registration
• Certificate of Anti-Rabic Vaccination provided by the owner
Copies of the documents are accepted and will be returned.
You can register your dog(s) for the first time in one of the following ways:
• By mail. You can download the application and attach a check or money order payable to Town of Arlington. Please include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.
• In person. You can visit the Town Clerk’s Office during business hours at 730 Massachusetts Ave, Floor 2.
Renewals
- The deadline to renew every year is January 1st – we have a grace period (roughly March 10th every year)
- We mail a pre-filled form once in the late fall if we don't have an email address on file.
- We email a pre-filled form in the late fall and reminders until the grace period ends.
- To renew, we need the basic information verified, the date in our records for rabies vaccination must not be expired, and payment.
- If you don’t have to submit a new rabies form, you can renew online without any paper and we’ll mail your tag and receipt as quickly as we can verify and update the information.
- At peak times, it will take several weeks to complete all renewals.
Online form and payment: click here then mail, email or drop off required documentation. Credit card – fees apply, E-check is free.
Mailing Address: Town Clerk, 730 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington MA 02476.
Dropbox: Town Hall’s black metal drop box located in the Academy St parking lot to the right of the carport, next to the bike racks.
Email Scans or Photos of forms: townclerk@town.arlington.ma.us
Checks: payable to Town of Arlington.
Cash: is accepted but we may not be able to make change.
Please contact Our Office at 781-316-3070 or townclerk@town.arlington.ma.us if you have moved or your dog is deceased, and we will update the record.
Annual License Fee
Unaltered Dog: $20
Neutered/Spayed: $15
Senior Citizen Owner 70+: No charge to license, but late fees apply
Replacement dog tags: $2
Fines and Grace Period
- We allow 45 business days after the deadline to complete registration or renew a license
- Late Fee is $25 if registration or renewal are not received by the end of the grace period
- Additional Fines ADDED for failure to register last year
What Do You Owe
This summary lists the total owed (altered / unaltered). For a detailed breakdown of the totals, you can read the Fee/Fine Detail or call us at 781-316-3070.
- New Dog or Renew on time: $15 / $20
- Renew Late: $40 / $45
- New Dog Late: $40 / $45
- Missed 2024; 2025 License On Time: $55 / $60
- Missed 2024 AND 2025 License Late: $80 / $90
The Town of Arlington is registering domestic partnerships by asking all partners to appear in person at the Office of the Town Clerk and to produce identification for all parties prior to signing the Statement of Partnership.
Partners may complete and sign the application form prior to the visit and mail a copy or email a scan or photo to the Town Clerk’s Office before they come in person to sign the final document. Partners may also complete the application in person and we can create the final document in the same visit. If a partner is not available to appear to appear in person, they may request provisions be made for forms to be witnessed by a notary.
The Statement of Partnership will be registered on the date the completed and signed form is received by the Town Clerk.
The fee for filing a domestic partnership is $30 and includes one certified copy of the Statement of Partnership. Additional certified copies are $10 each. All fees payable in cash or by check/money order payable to the Town of Arlington.
Information about Domestic Partnerships
To enter into a domestic partnership in Arlington, all partners must jointly proclaim under the pains and penalties of perjury that:
(1) They have made a commitment of mutual support and caring for their domestic partners;
(2) They are at least eighteen (18) years of age;
(3) They are competent to enter into a contract; and
(4) They are not related to each other by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Being related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts means that you may not enter in a domestic partnership with certain relatives, including any parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, parent’s spouse, grandparent’s spouse, child’s spouse, grandchild’s spouse, partner’s parent, partner’s grandparent, partner’s child, partner’s grandchild, sibling, sibling’s child, or parent’s sibling.
A person seeking to form or join a domestic partnership filed in the Town of Arlington who is currently married or a member of a different domestic partnership must present a notarized Affidavit of Consent signed by all other current domestic partners or spouses. Please contact the Town Clerk to obtain copies of the necessary forms.
The Town Clerk can provide an Amendment form (to change address, add or remove dependents, or add new members to an existing domestic partnership) and a Withdrawal form to remove one or more partners. If two or more partners remain after any member(s) withdraw the domestic partnership remains intact. Withdrawing members must notify all other remaining members of the domestic partnership before the change can be effective.
If the death of one or more members of a domestic partnership causes there to be fewer than two remaining members, the partnership is considered dissolved as of the date of the death.
Members of domestic partnerships filed in the Town of Arlington should notify the Town Clerk of any change to the status of the domestic partnership.
The Town Clerk's Office is happy to help you file your Intention of Marriage and provide your Marriage License.
Key Details About the Process:
* Both parties sign the Intention of Marriage forms in person at the Clerk's Office
* Three-day legal waiting period after signing to collect the actual license
* $30 fee for the license (Cash or Check only)
* Marriage License will be signed by your clergy person/solemnizer
* The license cannot be issued more than 60 days before the date of the marriage
The Notice of Intention of Marriage is a legal document and must be completed accurately.
We have provided detailed instructions for completing the forms. Please review them carefully – errors can take time to correct and delay the proceedings.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you should have any additional questions!
Please contact: townclerk@town.arlington.ma.us or 781-316-3070
Office Hours: Mon-Wed: 8-4pm, Thursday: 8-7pm, Friday: 8-12pm
You can call (617) 727-2836 to obtain information requesting One Day Commissions for out-of-state clergy or One Day Designations for non-clergy to officiate.
Certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates are available from the Town Clerk’s Office. To order certified copies, we need to know the name(s) on the certificate and the date of the birth, death or marriage. ID may be required in some cases. Call 781-316-3070 if you have questions.
Fee
$10 per copy
In Person
Requests can be made in person during normal business hours or by phone or email in advance of your visit so the documents are ready when you arrive. We suggest you provide your contact information when making a request, as well as name(s) on the certificates and the date of the birth, death or marriage.
Online
Requests can be made and paid for online using InvoiceCloud and the documents will be mailed to the address provided. Same day requests online are not possible – please call or come in person if you have an urgent need. InvoiceCloud charges a small fee to pay by credit card and e-checks are free.
NOTE: Unless you are certain we have the document you need, you should call the office to confirm. Couples married in Arlington or living in Arlington when they were married may not have filed their marriage intentions in Arlington.
By Mail
You may use our Vital Records Request form or a similar note to make a request. Requests are usually processed within 2 days of receipt of the request and payment. Please provide contact information in case we have a question about your request.
Written requests with payment by check or money order (payable to Town of Arlington) can be mailed to:
Arlington Town Clerk
730 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476
Massachusetts requires towns to compile a list of all residents every year and the information is used by local, state, and federal offices to allocate resources, so your cooperation is encouraged. Returning the form promptly reduces follow-up mailings and costs.
The Town Census is mailed in January. If you do not receive a Town Census in the mail by the end of the month or if you are new to Arlington, you can complete a blank census form and deliver it to the Clerk's Office.
Download a census form.
Descargue el formulario del censo de Arlington.
Registered voters who do not respond by June are moved to the inactive voter list and mailed a postcard they can use to confirm residence and restore their active voter status.
Instructions for completing the Town Census form.
Although Massachusetts general laws prohibit most forms of gambling in the commonwealth, an exception is made under Chapter 271, Section 7A for certain non-profit organizations that wish to raise funds through raffles and bazaars. (The term “bazaar” is used to refer to “casino night” type events.)
Organizations meeting the criteria outlined in the law may complete our questionnaire and application and submit them to the Clerk’s Office. The permit fee is $20.00 and will be issued only after approval of the application by the Town Clerk and the Chief of Police.
A permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. An unlimited number of raffles, but only three bazaars may be held within the duration of the permit.
Gross proceeds of raffles and bazaars are subject to a 5% Massachusetts excise tax on wagering. Proceeds must be reported to the Lottery Commission and taxes paid within 10 days after each event. The Lottery Commission will send the appropriate tax reporting forms to the sponsoring organization after the permit is issued.
Within 30 days after the permit expires, and before a renewal permit can be issued, an annual report must be filed with the Town Clerk. The report must list all income and expenses associated with raffles and bazaars for the duration of the permit, as well as the names and addresses of participants who won prizes valued at $250.00 or more. The report must be signed by the members of the organization listed on the original permit application, as well as the organization's accountant.
Organizations holding raffle / bazaar permits are responsible for adhering to the regulations outlined in Chapter 271, Section 7A. There are additional regulations for raffles in which the value of prizes exceeds $10,000 or in which the ticket price exceeds $10.00. There is a helpful Guide to Hosting Raffles on the state website and reviews the important details. Bazaars (casino nights) are also governed by 940 CMR 13.
Questions about these regulations can be directed to the Town Clerk's Office at (781)316-3070, the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission at (781)849-5555, or the Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office at (617)727-2200 x2101.