HenCheckBackyard hen rules, city by city

The backyard hen almanac

Hens out back? Check the city code first.

Enter a street address. We check whether it sits inside city limits, then show the hen cap, rooster rule, permit, and setback, quoted word for word from the municipal code.

We geocode the street address and test that point against Census city limits. The city name you type is not the source of truth.

What every city page answers

  • Hen cap

    The most hens the code allows on one lot, or whether it sets no cap.

  • Roosters

    Whether roosters are allowed, banned, or need a permit inside city limits.

  • Permit & fee

    What you have to file, who issues it, and the fee the code or schedule lists.

  • Setback

    How far the coop must sit from lot lines or neighbors, as the code words it.

Lookup is by street address, not city name: many mailing addresses sit outside corporate limits. If a city is not listed, we have not verified it yet. We do not invent numbers, and we do not look up HOA or neighborhood covenants.

Verbatim from the city code

Fowl shall be kept in a secure enclosure located at least 40 feet from any residence other than that of the owner thereof, and so constructed as to prevent such fowl from leaving the owner's premises.

Sec. 8-12. Keeping of fowl. · Aiken, SC · See the full Aiken page

What to buy

  • Hatchery

    A hatchery that ships chicks to that state, with notes on ordering pullets.

  • Feed store

    A nearby store for chick starter, layer feed, and supplies.

  • Coop

    A coop and run, with dimensions checked against the local minimums.

  • Vet

    A clinic that lists chickens or backyard poultry among its patients.

Each verified city page names a real hatchery, feed store, coop, and vet.

Verified cities

Hen rules change from one city line to the next. These are the 151 cities in 22 states where we have read the code ourselves.