Can I keep chickens in Cranston, RI?
Yes — Cranston allows backyard chickens, up to 10 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Title 6, Ch. 4, Sec. 6.04.40 (Domestic Chicken Hens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Covered, predator-resistant, well-ventilated; min 2 sq ft per hen; half-inch hardware cloth buried 12 in.; permeable surface; manure in enclosed bins; no coop on shared fence; hens confined sunset to sunrise; backyard or sideyard only |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Title 6, Ch. 4, Sec. 6.04.40 (Domestic Chicken Hens) |
Cranston allows up to 10 hens (1 per 800 sq ft of open lot area) on owner-occupied residential lots. A $25 registration fee and Building Official plan approval are required before constructing a coop. Roosters are prohibited, commercial slaughter and egg sales are banned, and coops must be 20 ft from adjacent residential structures.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Cranston?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Cranston (Code of Ordinances Title 6, Ch. 4, Sec. 6.04.40 (Domestic Chicken Hens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Cranston?
Up to 10 hens. 1 hen per 800 sq ft of lot area, max 10.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cranston?
Yes — Cranston requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Cranston?
No — roosters are prohibited in Cranston.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Cranston?
20 feet minimum. Covered, predator-resistant, well-ventilated; min 2 sq ft per hen; half-inch hardware cloth buried 12 in.; permeable surface; manure in enclosed bins; no coop on shared fence; hens confined sunset to sunrise; backyard or sideyard only
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Cranston?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Cranston's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Cranston?
Code of Ordinances Title 6, Ch. 4, Sec. 6.04.40 (Domestic Chicken Hens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Title 6, Ch. 4, Sec. 6.04.40 (Domestic Chicken Hens) — read the official code
“The owner of any dwelling may keep or permit to be kept on the lot containing the dwelling, one (1) hen per eight hundred (800) square feet of OPEN lot area, with a maximum of ten (10) on any lot... No person shall keep OR RAISE any rooster... The coop and run shall not be located closer than twenty (20) feet to any residential structure on an adjacent property” source
“Section 1. Chapter 6.04, entitled Animals Generally is hereby amended by adding thereto Section 6.04.40 - Domestic Chickens... Registration fee Per house $25.00 / Renewal fee $5.00” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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