Can I keep chickens in Bessemer, AL?
Yes, with conditions — Bessemer allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 30 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Secs. 14-14, 14-15, 14-23, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 30 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Fowl/chickens may not be kept within 30 ft of a dwelling house or 12 ft of a lot line without a county health department permit; no animal kept on a lot under 10,000 sq ft; anyone raising poultry must obtain a license; must not be a nuisance. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Secs. 14-14, 14-15, 14-23 |
Bessemer permits keeping fowl/chickens, but not within 30 feet of a dwelling house or 12 feet of a lot line without a permit from the county health department, and no such animal may be kept on a lot smaller than 10,000 sq ft. Anyone raising poultry must obtain a license, and keeping must not become a nuisance. No numeric hen cap or explicit rooster ban appears in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bessemer?
Yes, with conditions — Bessemer allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Secs. 14-14, 14-15, 14-23).
How many chickens can I keep in Bessemer?
It depends on your lot. No numeric hen cap; chickens allowed only with county health department permit if within 30 ft of a dwelling or 12 ft of a lot line, on a lot of at least 10,000 sq ft, and not a nuisance. A separate license to raise poultry is also required (Sec. 14-15).. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bessemer?
Yes — Bessemer requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bessemer?
30 feet minimum. Fowl/chickens may not be kept within 30 ft of a dwelling house or 12 ft of a lot line without a county health department permit; no animal kept on a lot under 10,000 sq ft; anyone raising poultry must obtain a license; must not be a nuisance.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Bessemer?
Yes — 10,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bessemer?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Secs. 14-14, 14-15, 14-23. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Secs. 14-14, 14-15, 14-23 — read the official code
“No animal shall be kept on any lot or parcel of land within the city consisting of less than 10,000 square feet in area.” source
“No person shall keep within the city any fowl, chickens or rabbits within 30 feet of a dwelling house or 12 feet of a lot line without a permit from the county health department.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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