Can I keep chickens in New Haven, CT?
Yes — New Haven allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Zoning Ordinance § 34 (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Enclosure limited to 200 sq ft, rear yard only, at least 25 ft from any street line, at least 15 ft from any residential dwelling, at least 5 ft from any property line. Coop (building) must be at least 10 ft from any lot line. Screening required if enclosure is within 10 ft of property boundary or visible from street. |
| Code section | Zoning Ordinance § 34 (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09) |
New Haven allows up to 6 hens in four residential zoning districts (RM-2, RS-1, RS-2, RM-1) as a non-commercial accessory use. No roosters. No permit required. Enclosure must be in rear yard, max 200 sq ft, with setbacks of 25 ft from street, 15 ft from any dwelling, and 5 ft from property lines. Coop building must be at least 10 ft from any lot line.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in New Haven?
Yes — chickens are allowed in New Haven (Zoning Ordinance § 34 (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09)).
How many chickens can I keep in New Haven?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in New Haven?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in New Haven.
Are roosters allowed in New Haven?
No — roosters are prohibited in New Haven.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in New Haven?
10 feet minimum. Enclosure limited to 200 sq ft, rear yard only, at least 25 ft from any street line, at least 15 ft from any residential dwelling, at least 5 ft from any property line. Coop (building) must be at least 10 ft from any lot line. Screening required if enclosure is within 10 ft of property boundary or visible from street.
What law covers backyard chickens in New Haven?
Zoning Ordinance § 34 (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Ordinance § 34 (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09) — read the official code
“No more than six (6) hens may be kept on any property located in the following residence zoning districts as a non-commercial accessory use: RM-2, RS-1, RS-2, RM-1. (Ord. No. 1598, § 1, 9-8-09)” 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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