GA · verified 2026-10-21
Gainesville, GA
Short answerYes: the City of Gainesville code allows up to 6 birds; roosters are banned; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 50 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the City of Gainesville corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the City of Gainesville 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. 4-1-33. Permitted uses. (c) Poultry
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Banned
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 50 ft
Code cite: Sec. 4-1-33. Permitted uses. (c) Poultry
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Sec. 4-1-33. Permitted uses. (c) Poultry
How many hens
“No more than six poultry shall be permitted on any lot;”
The lot must be at least half an acre, with a home occupied by the owner.
Sec. 4-1-33. Permitted uses. (c) Poultry
Roosters
“The keeping of roosters or bantam roosters is not permitted;”
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
Setback / screening
“Shall be kept securely fenced within a rear yard at least 50 feet from any property line;”
Coop and run size
“Coops for housing poultry shall not exceed 24 square feet in size and 6 feet in height and shall have an architectural pleasing appearance consisting of wood, metal or composite materials and chicken wire;”
Also in this section
Run size
“Poultry run space shall not exceed 48 square feet in area separate from the coop;”
“The minimum lot size for keeping poultry shall be one-half acre;”
“Shall be permitted only on property that contains a dwelling occupied by the property owner;”
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Gainesville (North Georgia) area 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 — Gainesville (#1455)
Gainesville — 3640 Mundy Mill Rd, Ste 170, Gainesville, GA 30504. (770) 287-9686. Store page lists livestock feed and farm supplies, including chicken coops, waterers and feeders.
Coop
OverEZ Medium Chicken Coop (coop only; the OverEZ 8 ft run is too big for Gainesville)
Dimensions: Coop 50¼ in L × 52½ in W × 62¼ in H (includes nesting box), sized by OverEZ for up to 10 chickens.
Price: Coop $1,699.00 (Classic or Coastal finish; the Farmhouse finish was out of stock), as shown on overezchickencoop.com on 2026-10-21. OverEZ lists its smaller 5-chicken coop as out of stock.
Gainesville caps coops at 24 sq ft and 6 ft tall, and run space at 48 sq ft. This coop's outside footprint including the nesting box is about 18 sq ft and it is 62¼ in (about 5 ft 2 in) tall, so it fits. OverEZ's 8 ft × 8 ft run is 64 sq ft, which is over the 48 sq ft cap, so pair the coop with a smaller run. OverEZ rates the coop for up to 10 chickens, but Gainesville's 6-bird cap still applies.
The coop footprint is about 4.2 ft × 4.4 ft. Gainesville requires the birds to be fenced in the rear yard at least 50 ft from every property line, so lot size is the limiting factor.
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. 4-1-33. Permitted uses. (c) Poultry at https://library.municode.com/ga/gainesville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIITHCOOR_TIT4PUWOHE_CH4-1AN_ARTIIPOANYA_S4-1-33PEUS. Read the live code before you build or order birds.