Can I keep chickens in Roanoke, VA?
Yes — Roanoke allows backyard chickens, up to 10 hens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry kept in securely and suitably fenced areas; no pen within 50 feet of any residence used by anyone other than the keeper or immediate family; no poultry at large. Keeping area kept clean and sanitary; feed in rodent-proof containers. |
| Code section | Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97 |
The City of Roanoke (distinct from Roanoke County) allows poultry on residential lots without a special permit. Up to 10 poultry may be kept on a parcel under 20,000 sq ft, and up to 40 on a parcel of 20,000 sq ft or more. Pens may not be within 50 feet of a neighbor's residence, and the city code does not ban roosters or address slaughter.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Roanoke?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Roanoke (Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97).
How many chickens can I keep in Roanoke?
Up to 10 hens. Tiered by lot size: 10 up to 19,999 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Roanoke?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Roanoke.
Are roosters allowed in Roanoke?
Yes, with conditions — see Roanoke's rules (Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Roanoke?
50 feet minimum. Poultry kept in securely and suitably fenced areas; no pen within 50 feet of any residence used by anyone other than the keeper or immediate family; no poultry at large. Keeping area kept clean and sanitary; feed in rodent-proof containers.
What law covers backyard chickens in Roanoke?
Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Roanoke City Code Ch. 6, Art. V (Poultry), Secs. 6-93, 6-95, 6-96, 6-97 — read the official code
“(a) A maximum of ten (10) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. (b) A maximum of forty (40) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more.” source
“no fenced area or pen for poultry shall be permitted closer than fifty (50) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the person maintaining such poultry or his immediate family. No poultry shall be permitted to roam at large.” 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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