Can I keep chickens in Miami, FL?
Yes, with conditions — Miami allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 15 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Miami Code of Ordinances, Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-1 (Restrictions on keeping poultry, fowl or grazing animals), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 15 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Pens and houses must be kept free from odors and fly breeding; feed stored in rat-proof tight-fitting containers; droppings removed at least twice weekly, wrapped and placed in covered cans. Fowl may not run at large. |
| Code section | Miami Code of Ordinances, Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-1 (Restrictions on keeping poultry, fowl or grazing animals) |
Poultry may be kept only under strict conditions: a permit from the county health unit is required, no more than 15 hens and 30 growing chicks may be kept at one time, roosters are banned outright, and no pen or house may sit less than 100 feet from any human dwelling. Because the 100-foot rule is measured to ANY human dwelling with no exemption for the keeper's own home, hens are not practical on a typical city lot.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Miami?
Yes, with conditions — Miami allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Miami Code of Ordinances, Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-1 (Restrictions on keeping poultry, fowl or grazing animals)).
How many chickens can I keep in Miami?
Up to 15 hens. Cap is 15 hens plus 30 growing chicks, but keeping is gated on a county health unit permit and on siting the pen at least 100 ft from any human dwelling, with no stated exemption for the keeper's own residence. On a standard Miami lot that distance rule is usually impossible to meet.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Miami?
Yes — Miami requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Miami?
No — roosters are prohibited in Miami.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Miami?
100 feet minimum. Pens and houses must be kept free from odors and fly breeding; feed stored in rat-proof tight-fitting containers; droppings removed at least twice weekly, wrapped and placed in covered cans. Fowl may not run at large.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Miami?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Miami's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Miami?
Miami Code of Ordinances, Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-1 (Restrictions on keeping poultry, fowl or grazing animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Miami Code of Ordinances, Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-1 (Restrictions on keeping poultry, fowl or grazing animals) — read the official code
“Live poultry, fowl or grazing animals may be kept, harbored, bred or maintained in the city, subject to the following limitations and restrictions” source
“No live poultry, fowl or grazing animals shall be kept, harbored, bred or maintained unless the person owning or leasing or occupying the premises on which the same are kept, harbored, bred or maintained secures, possesses and maintains a permit from the county health unit, authorizing the use of the premises for such purpose.” source
“In no event shall the owner or lessee or occupant of any premises keep, harbor, breed or maintain at any one time more than 15 hens and 30 growing chicks. No roosters shall be kept, harbored, bred or maintained at any time.” source
“No poultry, fowl or grazing animal pens or houses shall be situated less than 100 feet from any human dwelling, and no poultry, fowl or grazing animal shall be permitted to run at large.” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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