Can I keep chickens in Augusta, GA?
Yes, with conditions — Augusta allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. (Augusta-Richmond County Code Sec. 4-1-33 (Animal Control Ordinance, replacement approved 6-26-2025); Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (November 2019) Secs. 7-1(b) and Section 8, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Coop rules | No numeric hen, coop or setback standard exists anywhere in the Augusta-Richmond County code. Whether you may keep chickens turns on your parcel's zoning classification. The animal control chapter only prohibits fowl running at large. |
| Code section | Augusta-Richmond County Code Sec. 4-1-33 (Animal Control Ordinance, replacement approved 6-26-2025); Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (November 2019) Secs. 7-1(b) and Section 8 |
Augusta has no backyard-chicken ordinance. Whether you can keep chickens depends entirely on your parcel's zoning: agriculture is a permitted use in the A (Agriculture) Zone, which covers every part of Augusta not specifically zoned otherwise, but it is not a listed permitted use in the R-1 residential zone. The only fowl rule in the animal control chapter is that they may not run at large. Check your parcel's zoning classification before assuming anything.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Augusta?
Yes, with conditions — Augusta allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Augusta-Richmond County Code Sec. 4-1-33 (Animal Control Ordinance, replacement approved 6-26-2025); Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (November 2019) Secs. 7-1(b) and Section 8).
How many chickens can I keep in Augusta?
It depends on your lot. No count is set anywhere in the code. Permitted as Agriculture, dairying and ranching in the A (Agriculture) Zone under CZO Sec. 7-1(b); not a listed permitted use in the R-1 residential zone. Zone-by-zone determination required. Augusta has an active zoning ordinance rewrite underway that will change this.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
What law covers backyard chickens in Augusta?
Augusta-Richmond County Code Sec. 4-1-33 (Animal Control Ordinance, replacement approved 6-26-2025); Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (November 2019) Secs. 7-1(b) and Section 8. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Augusta-Richmond County Code Sec. 4-1-33 (Animal Control Ordinance, replacement approved 6-26-2025); Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (November 2019) Secs. 7-1(b) and Section 8 — read the official code
“The area of Zone A shall be all of Augusta excepting therefrom any and all areas that have been, or may hereafter be, specifically covered by other zones... (b) Agriculture, dairying and ranching.” source
“SECTION 7 A (AGRICULTURAL) ZONE. 7-1 Zone A (Agriculture) Districts: The area of Zone A shall be all of Augusta excepting therefrom any and all areas that have been, or may hereafter be, specifically covered by other zones created in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. (b) Agriculture, dairying and ranching. (c) Buildings incidental to agriculture, dairying and ranching.” source
“Chapter 1 ANIMALS AND FOWL / ARTICLE 1. IN GENERAL / Sec. 4-1-1. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the Animal Control Ordinance of Augusta-Richmond County.” source
Last verified August 16, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →