Can I keep chickens in Yonkers, NY?
No — Yonkers does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (§ 65-23, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Code section | § 65-23 |
Yonkers prohibits keeping poultry, fowl, or other birds on any premises, with only narrow exceptions: live poultry kept for sale in a licensed live poultry market, birds sold at mercantile establishments, and small pet birds (lovebirds, canaries, parakeets and similar). Backyard hens are not permitted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Yonkers?
No — chickens are not allowed in Yonkers (§ 65-23).
Are roosters allowed in Yonkers?
No — roosters are prohibited in Yonkers.
What law covers backyard chickens in Yonkers?
§ 65-23. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§ 65-23 — read the official code
“No person shall keep, cause or allow to be kept on, in or about any premises or property any poultry, fowl or other birds, except as hereinafter provided:” source
“It shall be lawful to keep for purposes of sale live poultry in a live poultry market.” source
“It shall be lawful to keep lovebirds, canaries, parakeets and other birds of similar variety as domestic pets where the keeping of such does not constitute a health nuisance.” 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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