Virginia Backyard Chicken Laws

Backyard chicken requirements vary by municipality and zoning. Find your researched Virginia city or county below.

Quick legal answer

Are backyard chickens legal in Virginia?

Conditional — rules vary by municipality or zoning

Hen limit: Varies by city
Roosters: Varies by city; nuisance rules may also apply
Permit: Varies by municipality
Setback: Varies by municipality and zoning district
Zoning: Your city or county ordinance controls

Last verified: July 2026

Official source varies by municipality

Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.

Cities allow chickens

Cities ban chickens

Conditional rules

Cities covered

Important: Local zoning and animal ordinances determine whether a particular property qualifies. Confirm the city or county rule that applies to your address. HOA covenants can also be more restrictive.

Easiest cities

Norfolk

Up to 6 hens · permit required · The Norfolk chicken permit covers female chickens only; confirm any bird not covered by the permit with Public Health

Richmond

Up to 6 hens · permit required · no roosters

Strictest cities

Virginia Beach

No general residential hen limit applies; qualifying agricultural zoning requires property-specific confirmation

Fairfax County

Lots of 2 acres or more use a ratio of 32 chickens per acre; smaller lots require a special permit

Chesapeake

Up to 6 hens. Accessory-structure setbacks under CZO Section 14-102 vary by the property; confirm the site plan with Zoning

✓ Allowed Up to 6 hens Permit required No roosters →

Fairfax County

Lots of 2 acres or more use a ratio of 32 chickens per acre; smaller lots require a special permit. Shelter-location rules depend on the lot and zoning approval; confirm the proposed coop with Fairfax County

Conditional →

Norfolk

Up to 6 hens. Property set-offs, boundaries, and dimensional changes require Norfolk Public Health approval; confirm the approved site plan

✓ Allowed Up to 6 hens Permit required No roosters →

Richmond

Up to 6 hens. Contact the Richmond Zoning Division for the setback that applies to the property before applying

✓ Allowed Up to 6 hens Permit required No roosters →

Virginia Beach

City guidance says that in most cases chickens and other livestock are only permitted in areas designated for agricultural use, not residential areas.

Conditional →

About Virginia Chicken Laws

Backyard chicken requirements in Virginia vary across cities, counties, and zoning districts. Local rules address flock size, roosters, permits, coop setbacks, sanitation, and property qualifications.

Always verify rules directly with your city clerk or planning department before purchasing birds or building a coop. Laws change — our pages include a last-verified date and link directly to the municipal code for each city.

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