Can you own chickens in Virginia? Yes, you can. Where in Virginia can you have chickens? There are many cities and towns in Virginia that allow the keeping of backyard chickens for personal use. How many chickens can you own in Virginia? The number of chickens you can own depends on where you live in Virginia, as the laws regulating the ownership of chickens vary greatly from one city to another.
However, the number of chickens you can keep in most cities in Virginia is capped at 6. With that in mind, below are some Virginia cities in which you can have chickens in your backyard, as well as the number of chickens you can have.
1. Virginia Beach, VA
Currently in the city of Virginia Beach, VA, the keeping of backyard chickens is only allowed in areas zoned for agricultural use. This means you can't keep chickens in your backyard if you live in a residential zoning district in Virginia Beach. Furthermore, the City Code does not specify the number of chickens residents living in areas zoned for agricultural use can own, meaning you can keep as many chickens as you want if you reside in an agriculturally zoned area in Virginia Beach.
In recent years, the city of Virginia Beach has been approached by many residents living in residential areas requesting that the City Code be modified to allow backyards chickens in residential zoning districts. The City is yet to consider the residents' request.
2. Chesapeake, VA
Chesapeake, the second-most populous city in Virginia, allows the keeping of backyard chickens in residential districts with the exception of lots zoned RE-1. If you live in a single-family residential zoning district in Chesapeake, you may keep up to 6 hens in your backyard. However, there are no limits to the number of chickens you can own if you live within the A-1 district.
The keeping of backyard chickens in Chesapeake, Norfolk County, VA, is subject to the following requirements: Chicken coops must be located in the rear yard, with a setback of 3 feet on lots having a width of less than 65 feet and 5 feet on lots having a width of 65 feet or more. However, you need to obtain a permit for the chicken coop. Furthermore, the city of Chesapeake prohibits the slaughtering of chickens on property zoned for residential use.
3. Norfolk, VA
The city of Norfolk requires that residents obtain a permit from the Department of Public Health before keeping any chickens. Norfolk City allows a maximum of 6 chickens to be kept on properties of 5,000 square feet. The keeping of roosters is not permitted in Norfolk, VA. Chicken coops are to be kept at least 15 feet away from any property line and at least 20 feet away from the nearest boundary of any city drainage easement. At the time the permit is issued, each chicken shall be provided with an identification band, which shall be attached to either the leg or wing.
4. Arlington County, VA
Backyard chicken keeping has become increasingly popular in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington County currently permits its residents to have up to six backyard hens. However, the County requires that chicken coops be located at least 100 feet away from a neighboring lot line. In addition, an acre or more of land is required to keep backyard hens in Arlington and chickens are prohibited from running at large.
5. Spotsylvania County, VA
In Spotsylvania County, VA, the keeping of backyard chickens is allowed under certain regulations. For starters, roosters are not permitted in Spotsylvania. Chickens are allowed in both residential districts and agricultural districts. However, the number of chickens a resident can keep depends on the size of their property. The maximum number of chickens allowed is 6. However, residents with 5 acres or larger of land in agricultural districts may keep as many chickens as they want.
Furthermore, Spotsylvania residents must obtain a Coop Certificate in order to keep chickens.
6. Richmond, VA
The City of Richmond allows residents to have up to six backyard chickens in all residential districts of the city. Richmond prohibits the keeping of roosters and English gamecocks. Before you are allowed to keep hens, you need a $60 chicken permit and before a permit is issued, you must either own the property or obtain written approval from the property owner. Richmond chicken ordinance requires that chicken coops/pens be kept at least 15 feet away from any adjacent dwelling(s).
7. Newport News, VA
In the city of Newport News, VA, residents are permitted to keep a maximum of 6 chickens in their backyards under certain conditions. First of all, roosters are not allowed in Newport News and chickens shall not be kept for commercial activities. All chicken coops/pens must be predator-proof, thoroughly ventilated, and located in the rear yard only. Furthermore, all chicken coops must be located at least 25 feet away from adjoining property lines. However, before you keep any chickens in your backyard in Newport News, you need to obtain a permit from the Department of Codes Compliance for a fee of $25.
8. Alexandria, VA
It is legal to have backyard chickens in the city of Alexandria. However, the City Code states that chickens must be kept 200 feet away from neighboring residences or dwellings, which makes keeping chickens in Alexandria possible for a few residents and almost impossible for many residents.
9. Hampton, VA
The City of Hampton requires that residents obtain a permit before keeping a maximum of 6 backyard hens on properties with a single-family residence as the primary use. According to Hampton City Code, no resident may keep chickens in condominiums, duplexes, townhouses, apartments or manufactured housing park properties. Chicken coops must be located in the rear yard and at least 25 feet away from any neighboring residence or place of business. In addition, chicken coops must be kept in a sanitary condition at all times.
10. Roanoke, VA
Roanoke, VA, residents are permitted to keep chickens in residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4) so long as certain requirements are met. First of all, you must live on the property on which your chickens are kept. You must prevent your chickens from roaming free by keeping them in a predator-resistant coop or chicken enclosure at all times.
There is a setback requirement of 10 feet from the side and rear property lines for chicken coops, which must be situated at least 35 feet from any residential dwelling on an adjacent lot. Roanoke Code prohibits the keeping of roosters, capons, and crowing hens, as well as the outdoor slaughtering of chickens.
The maximum of hens a resident can keep depends on the size of the property. A maximum of 6 hens is allowed on properties of 20,000 square feet or less, 9 hens on properties of 20,001 square feet to 1.0 acre, and 12 hens on properties of greater than 1.0 acre.
Other Virginia Cities That Allow Backyard Chickens
- Portsmouth, VA: Allows 6 hens
- Suffolk, VA: Allows chickens
- Harrisonburg, VA: Allows 4 hens
- Charlottesville, VA: Allows chickens
- Blacksburg, VA: Allows 4 hens
- Petersburg: VA: Allows 4 hens
- Sterling: VA: Allows 4 hens
- Winchester: VA: Allows 6 hens
- Staunton, VA: Allows hens
- Salem, VA: Allows 6 hens
- Fairfax City, VA: Allows 4 hens
- Christiansburg, VA: Allows chickens
