GA · verified 2026-10-21
Columbus, GA
Short answerYes: the City of Columbus code allows up to 6 birds; the cited code does not mention roosters; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 50 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the City of Columbus corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the City of Columbus corporate limits only. An HOA or neighborhood covenant can still ban hens. Those private rules are usually not public, so HenCheck does not look them up.
Primary source: Sec. 5-42. Keeping of fowl.
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Not addressed in the cited code
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 50 ft
Code cite: Sec. 5-42. Keeping of fowl.
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Sec. 5-42. Keeping of fowl.
How many hens
“Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph 5-42(a), the keeping of up to six chickens will be permitted on any size lot with a single family residential (SFR) zoning use subject to compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (g) below.”
Six is the limit for an ordinary single-family lot. Lots of two acres or more can keep more under the bird-unit rule (32 chickens per acre).
Sec. 5-42. Keeping of fowl.
Roosters
The cited code section does not mention roosters. Ask the city before you keep one.
Sec. 5-42 does not mention roosters. The noise and odor rule in 5-42(f) still applies.
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
Setback / screening
“Barns or other structures used for the confining or sheltering of domestic fowl not in connection with agriculture shall be no closer than 50 feet to any lot line.”
50 feet from every lot line is hard to meet on a typical city lot. Measure before you buy a coop.
Also in this section
“Notwithstanding any of the provisions contained herein, at no time shall an owner of domestic fowl place a structure or keep domestic fowl in any fashion which would cause emission of noise or odor detrimental to other property or individuals residing thereon in the area.”
“Further, it shall be unlawful to allow domestic fowl or other exotic fowl or birds to run on public property or private property other than the property of its owner.”
“Any place, including yards, pens, enclosures, lots or premises within the City of Columbus at which fowl or animals are kept shall be maintained in a clean condition free of obnoxious odors and fly-breeding media or attraction.”
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Columbus, GA metro list: same stores for every city in this metro.
Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Ships live chicks to Georgia via USPS Priority Mail. Cackle's FAQ lists Georgia among the states it ships to, with chicks going out Mondays and Wednesdays from February to August and Wednesdays only from August to late October. Order sexed pullets if your city bans roosters or does not address them.
Feed store
Tractor Supply — Midland (#1359)
Midland — 6713 Flat Rock Ct, Ste 100, Midland, GA 31820. (706) 568-6165. Store page lists livestock feed and farm supplies, including chicken coops, waterers and feeders.
Coop
OverEZ Medium Chicken Coop with Wooden 8 ft Chicken Run
Dimensions: Coop 50¼ in L × 52½ in W × 62¼ in H (includes nesting box), sized by OverEZ for up to 10 chickens; Wooden 8 ft run 8 ft W × 8 ft L × 6 ft 3 in H
Price: Coop $1,699.00 (Classic or Coastal finish; the Farmhouse finish was out of stock); Wooden 8 ft run $1,899.00. Prices as shown on overezchickencoop.com on 2026-10-21. OverEZ lists its smaller 5-chicken coop as out of stock.
The coop footprint is about 4.2 ft × 4.4 ft and the run is 8 ft × 8 ft, so with the coop at the end of the run plan on roughly 8 ft × 12.5 ft. Measure your setback from the cited code before you pick a spot, and check any height limit: the run is 6 ft 3 in tall. OverEZ ships coops and runs by tractor-trailer freight to the end of your driveway; homes on islands or on roads a truck cannot reach may need to pick up at a freight terminal.
Vet
No verified poultry vet yet
We have not confirmed a clinic here that says it treats chickens. Call local vets and ask before you need one.
Verified 2026-10-21 against Sec. 5-42. Keeping of fowl. at https://library.municode.com/ga/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5ANFO_ARTVWIBI_S5-42KEFO. Read the live code before you build or order birds.