Can I keep chickens in Winchester, VA?
Yes, with conditions — Winchester allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Winchester City Code Ch. 5, Art. I, Secs. 5-16 & 5-16.1 (Chicken Permits; Ord. TA-20-577, 2021); Sec. 5-14 (lots 2+ acres), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Enclosed, covered, secure pen with at least 4 sq ft per bird, in the rear yard. Pens at least 25 ft from any residential structure (minimum 10 ft from the residence on the same lot), at least 10 ft from all property lines, and at least 20 ft from streams/drainage. Not permitted within 500 ft of a poultry processing facility. Permit required; no slaughter; no egg or meat sales. |
| Code section | Winchester City Code Ch. 5, Art. I, Secs. 5-16 & 5-16.1 (Chicken Permits; Ord. TA-20-577, 2021); Sec. 5-14 (lots 2+ acres) |
Winchester allows up to six hens (no roosters) per single-family dwelling under a $25 chicken permit, in all residential zoning districts except B-1 (Central Business) and RB-1 (Residential Business). Hens must be kept in a covered, secure pen providing at least 4 sq ft per bird, located in the rear yard at least 25 feet from any residential structure and 10 feet from all property lines. Slaughter and egg or meat sales are prohibited, and chickens may not be kept within 500 feet of a poultry processing facility. Separately, Sec. 5-14 permits 6 fowl per acre on lots of two or more acres.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Winchester?
Yes, with conditions — Winchester allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Winchester City Code Ch. 5, Art. I, Secs. 5-16 & 5-16.1 (Chicken Permits; Ord. TA-20-577, 2021); Sec. 5-14 (lots 2+ acres)).
How many chickens can I keep in Winchester?
Up to 6 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Winchester?
Yes — Winchester requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Winchester?
No — roosters are prohibited in Winchester.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Winchester?
10 feet minimum. Enclosed, covered, secure pen with at least 4 sq ft per bird, in the rear yard. Pens at least 25 ft from any residential structure (minimum 10 ft from the residence on the same lot), at least 10 ft from all property lines, and at least 20 ft from streams/drainage. Not permitted within 500 ft of a poultry processing facility. Permit required; no slaughter; no egg or meat sales.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Winchester?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Winchester's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Winchester?
Winchester City Code Ch. 5, Art. I, Secs. 5-16 & 5-16.1 (Chicken Permits; Ord. TA-20-577, 2021); Sec. 5-14 (lots 2+ acres). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Winchester City Code Ch. 5, Art. I, Secs. 5-16 & 5-16.1 (Chicken Permits; Ord. TA-20-577, 2021); Sec. 5-14 (lots 2+ acres) — read the official code
“Chicken permits are permissible in all residential zoning districts with the exception of B-1 and RB-1.” source
“No more than six (6) chicken hens shall be allowed for each single-family dwelling.” source
“A twenty-five-dollar ($25.00) application fee.” source
“No roosters shall be allowed.” 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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