SC · verified 2026-10-21
Port Royal, SC
Short answerYes: the Town of Port Royal code allows up to 6 birds; roosters are banned; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 40 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the Town of Port Royal corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the Town of Port Royal 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: 4.3.60 - Uses Customarily Accessory to Both Residential and Non-Residential Facilities
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Banned
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 40 ft
Code cite: 4.3.60 - Uses Customarily Accessory to Both Residential and Non-Residential Facilities
The rule, quoted
Word for word from 4.3.60 - Uses Customarily Accessory to Both Residential and Non-Residential Facilities
How many hens
“A total of not more than six chicken hens may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary pen or structure:”
4.3.60 - Uses Customarily Accessory to Both Residential and Non-Residential Facilities
Roosters
“(5) The keeping of roosters is expressly prohibited.”
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
Setback / screening
“(1) No part of said structure shall be located less than forty (40) feet from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such animals.”
Measured from any home other than the owner's.
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Beaufort, SC area list: same stores for every city in this metro.
Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Ships live chicks to South Carolina via USPS Priority Mail. Cackle's FAQ lists South Carolina 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 — Beaufort (#2384)
Beaufort — 36 Parris Island Gtwy, Beaufort, SC 29906. (843) 322-0250. 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 4.3.60 - Uses Customarily Accessory to Both Residential and Non-Residential Facilities at https://library.municode.com/sc/port_royal/codes/development_code?nodeId=ART4SPUS_DIV4.3ACUSST_4.3.60USCUACBORENSIFA. Read the live code before you build or order birds.