Can I keep chickens in Athens, GA?
Yes — Athens 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. (Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Covered enclosure in the rear yard; chickens always fenced; coop setback from property line varies by zone (10 ft RM/RS-5, 16 ft RS-8, 30 ft RS-15, 50 ft RS-25/RS-40) and 20 ft from neighboring residential structures; rodent-proof feed storage. |
| Code section | Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture) |
Athens-Clarke County permits up to 6 chickens per parcel in all zoning districts for noncommercial use; roosters and crowing chickens are prohibited. Coops sit in the rear yard with zone-dependent setbacks. No keeping permit required. Verified against current code (June 2026).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Athens?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Athens (Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Athens?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Athens?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Athens.
Are roosters allowed in Athens?
No — roosters are prohibited in Athens.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Athens?
10 feet minimum. Covered enclosure in the rear yard; chickens always fenced; coop setback from property line varies by zone (10 ft RM/RS-5, 16 ft RS-8, 30 ft RS-15, 50 ft RS-25/RS-40) and 20 ft from neighboring residential structures; rodent-proof feed storage.
What law covers backyard chickens in Athens?
Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture) — read the official code
“No more than six chickens are allowed per parcel.” source
“Roosters and any other crowing chickens are prohibited.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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