Can I keep chickens in Hartford, CT?
Yes — Hartford allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Zoning Regulations § 905 (Urban Agriculture), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | One henhouse per lot, max 200 sq ft, in rear yard only. Must be at least 25 ft from street line, 15 ft from any residential dwelling, and 15 ft from any property line. Roosters prohibited. On-site slaughter prohibited. |
| Code section | Zoning Regulations § 905 (Urban Agriculture) |
Hartford allows up to 6 hens in two residential zoning districts under Urban Agriculture provisions (§ 905). Roosters prohibited. On-site slaughter prohibited. Henhouse max 200 sq ft, rear yard only, with setbacks: 25 ft from street, 15 ft from any residential dwelling and property lines. Up to 6-12 hens permitted in community gardens or urban farms in additional zones.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Hartford?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Hartford (Zoning Regulations § 905 (Urban Agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Hartford?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Hartford?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Hartford.
Are roosters allowed in Hartford?
No — roosters are prohibited in Hartford.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Hartford?
15 feet minimum. One henhouse per lot, max 200 sq ft, in rear yard only. Must be at least 25 ft from street line, 15 ft from any residential dwelling, and 15 ft from any property line. Roosters prohibited. On-site slaughter prohibited.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Hartford?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Hartford's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Hartford?
Zoning Regulations § 905 (Urban Agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Regulations § 905 (Urban Agriculture) — read the official code
“Hartford: City of Hartford allows one henhouse holding up to 6 hens in two residential zones, and 6-12 in community gardens or urban farms which are allowed in several additional zoning districts. Roosters are prohibited, as is on site slaughtering of chickens. Henhouses must be located within a rear yard of the property at least 25 feet from any street line, 15 feet from any residential dwelling, 15 feet from any property line, and be limited to 200 sq. ft.” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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