Can I keep chickens in Rome, NY?
Yes — Rome allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens. Roosters are prohibited. (Rome Code of Ordinances Ch. 80 (Zoning Code), Accessory Use Standards - Chicken coops; cf. Ch. 10 Art. II (Animals), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Chicken coop required (min. 4 sq ft per hen) plus a fenced outdoor enclosure (except in R-R district where hens may free-roam); coop in rear yard only, on an impermeable surface, kept clean/sanitary; no hens kept inside a dwelling. |
| Code section | Rome Code of Ordinances Ch. 80 (Zoning Code), Accessory Use Standards - Chicken coops; cf. Ch. 10 Art. II (Animals) |
Rome (Oneida County) regulates hen-keeping as an accessory use in its Zoning Code (Chapter 80). Up to eight hens may be kept on any lot by a resident of the dwelling, with roosters prohibited, the coop located in the rear yard only at a minimum of 4 sq ft per hen, and on-site slaughter prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Rome?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Rome (Rome Code of Ordinances Ch. 80 (Zoning Code), Accessory Use Standards - Chicken coops; cf. Ch. 10 Art. II (Animals)).
How many chickens can I keep in Rome?
Up to 8 hens.
Are roosters allowed in Rome?
No — roosters are prohibited in Rome.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Rome?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Rome's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Rome?
Rome Code of Ordinances Ch. 80 (Zoning Code), Accessory Use Standards - Chicken coops; cf. Ch. 10 Art. II (Animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Rome Code of Ordinances Ch. 80 (Zoning Code), Accessory Use Standards - Chicken coops; cf. Ch. 10 Art. II (Animals) — read the official code
“Chicken coops are permitted in the rear yard only. ... With the exception of the R-R district, all hens must be provided with both a chicken coop and a fenced outdoor enclosure ... The chicken coop must provide a minimum of four square feet per hen.” source
“No hens may be kept or raised within a dwelling.” source
“Up to a maximum of eight hens may be kept on any lot. The owner of the hens must be a resident of the dwelling on the lot.” source
“Roosters are prohibited. However, if the sex of a chick cannot be determined at hatching, a chick of either sex may be kept on the property for up to six months.” 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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