Connecticut Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Hen Limits & Setbacks by County and City

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Connecticut has no blanket, statewide chicken ordinances—the authority is completely delegated to individual local towns and zoning boards. Under Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) § 1-1(q), the statutory definition of "agriculture" and "farming" explicitly includes the raising of poultry, which establishes it as a recognized agricultural activity. Furthermore, Connecticut's "Right to Farm" law (CGS § 19a-341) protects accepted agricultural practices from local nuisance lawsuits regarding odors or noise. However, the statute explicitly grants municipalities the "home rule" power to dictate the exact location, lot size requirements, setbacks, and permit frameworks for keeping backyard flocks within residential zones. From Hartford’s 5-hen cap to New Haven's no-permit flexibility, the Nutmeg State is a structural patchwork where Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and local health ordinances act as the ultimate hidden gatekeepers.

Official State Source:

  • CT DoAg Livestock and Poultry Division — The primary state portal outlining mandatory health certifications, disease monitoring, and biosecurity regulations for Connecticut poultry keepers.
  • CGS § 22-324a: Requires any person raising 1,000 or more birds for commercial purposes to register annually with the Commissioner of Agriculture and maintain sanitary disposal facilities.

How many chickens can I have in Bridgeport, Connecticut?

Determined by your Board of Health permit.

How many chickens can I have in New Haven, Connecticut?

Up to 6 hens. Roosters are banned.

How many chickens can I have in Stamford, Connecticut?

No specified limit. Roosters are allowed.

How many chickens can I have in Hartford, Connecticut?

Up to 5 hens. Roosters are banned.

How many chickens can I have in Waterbury, Connecticut?

Generally restricted to parcels of 1+ acres. Verify updates with Zoning.

People Also Ask: Are Roosters Allowed in Connecticut?

No, in almost every case within residential areas. Roosters are banned or heavily restricted in residential zones across most Connecticut towns and cities due to strict municipal noise ordinances and close-proximity neighbor complaints. Even in more permissive rural areas, they are often prohibited by zoning codes unless the property meets a significant acreage threshold (typically a 2-to-5-acre minimum required for a standard farm classification, as seen in towns like Ellington, Farmington, or Avon). For small residential lots, a hens-only flock is the mandatory default. Always verify with your town’s zoning official before ordering straight-run chicks.

Alert: Municipal rules evolve rapidly due to shifting urban agriculture policies and avian biosecurity directives. Always double-check with your local city or town zoning enforcement officer, animal control department, or local health district, as private HOA covenants can legally restrict or completely override permissive town zoning rules.

For town-specific rules, see the detailed breakdown sections below to determine the number of chickens allowed within your city or municipal limits.

Table of Contents

Fairfield County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Newtown Borough, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton, Sherman, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, Wilton

  • Bethel, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 100ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: 10 acres minimum | Restrictions: Permitted only under specialized agricultural uses or special exception depending on the zone. | Section: § 480-40 | Source: ecode360.com

  • Bridgeport, CT

    Hen Limit: Determined by Board of Health permit | Roosters: Allowed by written permit | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: Not specified | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: It is unlawful to keep or maintain any live chickens, hens, or roosters within the limits of the city without a written permit from the Board of Health. Floors must be kept clean and unsanitary conditions are prohibited. | Section: § 6.04.010 | Source: library.municode.com

  • Brookfield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: Kept as an accessory use to a residential dwelling. Coops or structures housing poultry must maintain the 50-foot boundary line setback. | Section: § 242-304 | Source: brookfieldct.gov

  • Danbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 100ft from any property line | Lot Size: 5 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping of poultry or livestock is strictly restricted to parcels meeting the 5-acre baseline and requiring structures to be placed 100 feet away from adjacent boundaries. | Section: § 4.A.1 | Source: library.municode.com

  • Darien, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is restricted to farms or properties meeting the minimum lot threshold. Structures must meet accessory setbacks. | Section: § 210 | Source: darienct.gov

  • Easton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from neighboring streets | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping of livestock and poultry is recognized under agricultural rules but limited by zoning classification constraints on residential plots. | Section: § 6.1 | Source: eastonct.gov

  • Fairfield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 30ft from side and rear property lines | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: Poultry must be securely confined to the owner's property. Odors, noise, and unsanitary conditions that constitute a public nuisance are strictly prohibited. | Section: § 2.1.1 | Source: fairfieldct.gov

  • Greenwich, CT

    Hen Limit: Up to 12 hens allowed | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from all property lines | Lot Size: Under 2 acres | Restrictions: Coops must be kept in the rear yard. Roosters are prohibited on residential parcels under 2 acres. Feed must be secured against rodents. | Section: § 6-11 | Source: greenwichct.gov

  • Monroe, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory use on residential parcels matching or exceeding the acreage limit. Buildings housing poultry must observe the 50-foot buffer. | Section: § 117-3.1 | Source: monroect.gov

  • New Canaan, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry or livestock is classified under agricultural use and restricted by residential lot size and structural setbacks. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: newcanaan.info

  • New Fairfield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory farm use on residential properties. Coops must be positioned clear of boundary setbacks. | Section: § 4.1.2 | Source: newfairfield.org

  • Newtown, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Poultry must be housed in structures that conform to standard accessory building setbacks. Public health nuisance regulations apply to waste. | Section: § 2.02.100 | Source: newtownct.gov

  • Newtown Borough, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 75ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Borough regulations impose stricter lot sizes and increased setbacks for livestock and poultry compared to the surrounding town. | Section: § 4.02 | Source: newtownborough-ct.gov

  • Norwalk, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from neighboring residential structures | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: Poultry must be fully penned. Coops and yards must be maintained in a sanitary condition free of offensive odors and flies. | Section: § 118-340 | Source: library.municode.com

  • Redding, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Permitted as a residential accessory use provided the parcel size is met. Housing units must clear standard boundary lines. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: reddingct.org

  • Ridgefield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory agricultural activity. Manure and waste storage must be kept at least 100 feet away from neighboring wells. | Section: § 3.3.D | Source: ridgefieldct.org

  • Shelton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from side and rear lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is limited to specific residential zones meeting the acreage threshold. Coops cannot be located in front yards. | Section: § 21.1 | Source: sheltonct.gov

  • Sherman, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Classified under agricultural exceptions. Structures housing fowl must be positioned behind the primary residential building. | Section: § 320 | Source: shermanct.org

  • Stamford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 25ft from all property lines | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: Coops must be kept clean, ventilated, and completely predator-proof. The propagation of fowl must not create a public noise or odor nuisance. | Section: § 111-4 | Source: library.municode.com

  • Stratford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Livestock and poultry operations are restricted by zoning matrix limits. Coops must satisfy primary accessory structure rules. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: library.municode.com

  • Trumbull, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from neighboring property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Restricted to residential zones matching the minimum lot standard. All feed must be securely contained to prevent rodent attraction. | Section: § 2.1.3 | Source: trumbull-ct.gov

  • Weston, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Allowed exclusively as a residential farming accessory use. Structures must obey strict rural environmental preservation standards. | Section: § 310 | Source: westonct.gov

  • Westport, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 30ft from side and rear lines | Lot Size: Not specified | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory use to a single-family residence. Coops must be situated entirely within the rear yard framework. | Section: § 32-12 | Source: westportct.gov

  • Wilton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not Required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of chickens or other domestic poultry requires compliance with agricultural accessory rules. Free-roaming poultry is prohibited. | Section: § 29-5.C | Source: wiltonct.org

Hartford County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Manchester, Marlborough, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Southington, Suffield, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks

  • Avon, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 100ft from street, 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is considered an agricultural use; buildings housing poultry must meet the 100ft setbacks. | Section: § 4.2.2.a | Source: avonct.gov

  • Berlin, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Livestock and poultry farming require 3 acres; structures housing poultry must maintain a 100ft setback from all property lines. | Section: § V.A.7 | Source: berlinct.gov

  • Bloomfield, CT

    Hen Limit: 20 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre permitted | Restrictions: Up to 20 hens allowed on lots under 1 acre by Zoning Permit. Coops must be located in the rear yard. | Section: § 4.2.C.3 | Source: bloomfieldct.gov

  • Bristol, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Hens must be kept in a secure coop or fenced enclosure in the rear yard. Slaughtering is prohibited. | Section: § C.G.28 | Source: bristolct.gov

  • Burlington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and farming, including poultry raising, require a 2-acre minimum lot. Coops must meet setbacks. | Section: § 4.1.A.2 | Source: burlingtonct.us

  • Canton, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted as an accessory use on residential lots. Coops must be located in the rear yard. | Section: § 7.1.D.1 | Source: cantonct.org

  • East Granby, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines | Lot Size: Less than 2 acres | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens allowed on lots under 2 acres with an accessory structure permit. Standard agricultural rules apply for >2 acres. | Section: § 4.1.1.8 | Source: eastgranbyct.org

  • East Hartford, CT

    Total ban on poultry within East Hartford city limits | Section § 6-3 | Source: easthartfordct.gov

  • East Windsor, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Farms and the keeping of livestock/poultry are permitted on lots of 1 acre or larger, provided structures meet setbacks. | Section: § 401 | Source: eastwindsor-ct.gov

  • Enfield, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: 0.25 acres minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family residential lots. Must be confined to a rear yard coop/enclosure. | Section: § 4.10.2 | Source: enfield-ct.gov

  • Farmington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under agricultural use and requires a 2-acre minimum lot; coops must be 100ft from boundaries. | Section: § Chapter 2, Art. II | Source: farmington-ct.org

  • Glastonbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Poultry raising permitted on lots of 1 acre or more; structures for housing poultry must be 50ft from property lines. | Section: § 4.3.2 | Source: glastonburyct.gov

  • Granby, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 2 acres | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots under 2 acres via administrative permit. Standard agricultural rules apply for over 2 acres. | Section: § 8.1.3 | Source: granby-ct.gov

  • Hartford, CT

    Hen Limit: 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 20ft from habitable structures | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on 1-3 family residential properties. Hens must be kept in the rear yard in a secure coop. | Section: § 3.3.4.D | Source: hartfordct.gov

  • Hartland, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farms, including the breeding and raising of poultry, are permitted uses provided coops meet agricultural setbacks. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: hartland.org

  • Manchester, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 25ft from residential structures | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of hens is permitted accessory to single-family dwellings. Coops must be located in the rear yard. | Section: § 24.03 | Source: manchesterct.gov

  • Marlborough, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping is permitted as an agricultural activity on lots of 1 acre or more; coops must meet setbacks. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: marlboroughct.net

  • New Britain, CT

    Total ban on poultry within New Britain city limits | Section § 6-21 | Source: newbritainct.gov

  • Newington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Raising of poultry is permitted on lots meeting the 2-acre farming threshold, provided structures meet setbacks. | Section: § 3.2.1 | Source: newingtonct.gov

  • Plainville, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of livestock and poultry is limited to commercial farming operations or large residential lots meeting the 5-acre rule. | Section: § 1.2.2 | Source: plainvillect.com

  • Rocky Hill, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under agricultural regulations requiring a 3-acre minimum lot for livestock operations. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: rockyhillct.gov

  • Simsbury, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family residential lots by right with a zoning permit. Coops must be in the rear yard. | Section: § 4.5.1 | Source: simsbury-ct.gov

  • South Windsor, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Keeping up to 10 hens on lots under 1 acre requires an administrative permit. Standard farming rules apply above 1 acre. | Section: § 4.1.3 | Source: southwindsor-ct.gov

  • Southington, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family properties. Coops must be kept entirely within the rear yard. | Section: § 2-01.A.19 | Source: southington.org

  • Suffield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional agricultural poultry keeping requires 5 acres. Smaller scale non-commercial poultry keeping requires Special Exception. | Section: § V.A.1 | Source: suffieldct.gov

  • West Hartford, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with $10 fee. | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 20ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family or two-family lots. Annual permit required. Coops restricted to the rear yard. | Section: § 177-16.1 | Source: westhartfordct.gov

  • Wethersfield, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family owner-occupied properties. Coops must be situated in the rear yard. | Section: § 167-4.2 | Source: wethersfieldct.gov

  • Windsor, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens permitted on single-family properties with an approved zoning permit. Coops must be in the rear yard. | Section: § 4.1.2 | Source: windsorct.org

  • Windsor Locks, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is restricted to farms or properties meeting the 2-acre agricultural land threshold. | Section: § 402 | Source: windsorlocksct.org

Litchfield County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Bantam, Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Litchfield Borough, Morris, New Hartford, New Milford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plymouth, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Watertown, Winchester, Woodbury

  • Bantam, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 100ft from street, 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Evaluated under Litchfield/Bantam jurisdiction as standard agriculture. Coops and livestock buildings must satisfy the 50-foot boundary buffer. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: litchfieldct.com

  • Barkhamsted, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Raising poultry for farming or personal use is permitted by right but must not intentionally attract bears. Feed must be stored securely. | Section: § 82-3 | Source: ecode360.com

  • Bethlehem, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: Rear yard only, 25ft from property lines | Lot Size: Single-family lots only | Restrictions: Permitted for personal use only; commercial sales of eggs or manure are prohibited. Coops cannot exceed 6 feet in height. | Section: § 128-22 | Source: ecode360.com

  • Bridgewater, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agricultural operations, including poultry keeping, are permitted on parcels meeting the minimum lot threshold for farms. | Section: § 4.2.1 | Source: bridgewater-ct.gov

  • Canaan, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farming and poultry raising are permitted in residential-agricultural zones, provided enclosures satisfy standard accessory offsets. | Section: § 4.1.A | Source: canaan-fallsvillage.org

  • Colebrook, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from any property line | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Structures used for housing livestock or poultry must maintain a 100-foot buffer from all property boundaries. | Section: § 3.A.2 | Source: townofcolebrook.org

  • Cornwall, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 60ft from street line, 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Farming is a by-right use; structures housing poultry or storing manure must meet the 100-foot property line setback. | Section: § 1.4 | Source: cornwallct.org

  • Goshen, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 75ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping poultry falls under agricultural provisions requiring a minimum 2-acre lot size for active farming operations. | Section: § 2.3 | Source: goshenct.gov

  • Harwinton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Poultry must be entirely contained on the owner's property by secure pens or fencing to avoid trespassing issues. | Section: § 6.5 | Source: harwinton.us

  • Kent, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry operations are governed under standard agricultural parameters; structures require a 100-foot buffer from neighboring lines. | Section: § 4.1.2 | Source: townofkentct.gov

  • Litchfield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from street, 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as an agricultural operation; any building or coop housing poultry must maintain the 50-foot side/rear setback. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: litchfieldct.com

  • Litchfield Borough, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 75ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Subject to Litchfield Borough Historic and Land Use approvals; agricultural uses require specialized site clearance. | Section: § 5.1 | Source: litchfieldct.com

  • Morris, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from street line, 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and keeping of poultry require a minimum 3-acre parcel; coops must be heavily set back from boundaries. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: townofmorrisct.com

  • New Hartford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is permitted as an accessory farming use on lots of at least 1 acre; structures must follow setbacks. | Section: § 3.4.A | Source: newhartfordct.gov

  • New Milford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory use on residential parcels of 1 acre or greater; standard poultry coops must maintain a 50-foot setback. | Section: § 25.010 | Source: newmilford.org

  • Norfolk, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines | Lot Size: 0.10 acres minimum | Restrictions: Allows up to 10 hens by right on small residential lots; larger configurations require expanding land calculations (0.10 acres per 12 additional hens). | Section: § 3.05 | Source: norfolkct.org

  • North Canaan, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under agricultural provisions; coops and runs must stay away from residential borders. | Section: § 5.3 | Source: northcanaan.org

  • Plymouth, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family lots as an accessory use. Coops must be completely contained within the rear yard. | Section: § 4.12 | Source: plymouthct.us

  • Roxbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under the town’s farming standards; structures must adhere to extensive agricultural boundary lines. | Section: § 3.1 | Source: roxburyct.com

  • Salisbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 75ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farming and poultry setups are limited to standard rural/residential zones requiring 2 acres minimum lot size. | Section: § 201.2 | Source: salisburyct.us

  • Sharon, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping is characterized as a standard agricultural practice requiring traditional large lot dimensions. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: sharonct.org

  • Thomaston, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: 0.5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots via an approved zoning permit. Free-roaming poultry is strictly prohibited. | Section: § 14.4.a | Source: thomastonct.org

  • Torrington, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed in residential zones as an accessory use. Coops must be kept in the rear yard and maintained in a sanitary condition. | Section: § 5.2.3 | Source: torringtonct.org

  • Warren, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and small livestock management are restricted to rural zoning configurations with a 2-acre minimum. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: warrenct.org

  • Washington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agricultural structures including poultry coops must maintain standard 100-foot buffer parameters from neighboring residences. | Section: § 12.1 | Source: washingtonct.org

  • Watertown, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Permits non-commercial chicken flocks up to 10 hens on smaller residential properties. Coops must occupy the rear yard. | Section: § 62.1.8 | Source: watertownct.org

  • Winchester, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Keeping hens is allowed as an accessory use to single-family structures; storage of feed must be secure against rodents. | Section: § 3.5.2 | Source: winchesterct.org

  • Woodbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry production and coops fall under the general guidelines for farming and traditional agriculture. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: woodburyct.org

Middlesex County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Fenwick, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, Westbrook

  • Chester, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 40ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is classified under agricultural use and requires a 2-acre minimum lot. Coops must satisfy standard structural setbacks. | Section: § 40A | Source: chesterct.org

  • Clinton, CT

    Hen Limit: 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Up to 12 female chickens are permitted on residential properties via a standard zoning permit. Coops must be situated in the rear yard. | Section: § 10.3.18 | Source: clintonct.org

  • Cromwell, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted as an accessory use to single-family homes. Free roaming is prohibited; birds must remain in a secure coop or fenced enclosure. | Section: § 5.3.B | Source: cromwellct.com

  • Deep River, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Farms and the keeping of poultry are permitted by right on lots of 1 acre or larger. Buildings housing poultry must meet agricultural offsets. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: deepriverct.us

  • Durham, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping of poultry is governed under commercial or residential agricultural rules, carrying a strict 100-foot property boundary setback for structures. | Section: § 05.01.01 | Source: durhamct.org

  • East Haddam, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Poultry raising is permitted as an accessory farming activity on properties of at least 1 acre. Coops must adhere to structural setbacks. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: easthaddam.org

  • East Hampton, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Allows up to 6 hens on smaller residential lots via an administrative permit. Standard agricultural rules apply for lots exceeding 1 acre. | Section: § 8.4.E | Source: easthamptonct.gov

  • Essex, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Classified as an agricultural use; the housing of poultry requires a 2-acre minimum parcel size and structural buffers from boundaries. | Section: § 40A | Source: essexct.gov

  • Fenwick, CT

    Total ban on poultry within Fenwick city limits | Section § 4.1 | Source: fenwicknews.com

  • Haddam, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and poultry raising are permitted uses on 2-acre parcels. Structures must meet a 50-foot buffer from all property lines. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: haddam.org

  • Killingworth, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as a farming activity; buildings used for sheltering poultry or storing manure must maintain the specified setbacks. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: killingworthct.gov

  • Middlefield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping and breeding of poultry is permitted as a traditional agricultural operation on lots meeting the 2-acre minimum. | Section: § 04.01.01 | Source: middlefieldct.org

  • Middletown, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots via a certificate of zoning compliance. Coops must be located behind the rear building line. | Section: § 61.02.55 | Source: middletownct.gov

  • Old Saybrook, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture, including the keeping of poultry, is restricted to large-scale parcels meeting the town's 5-acre farming threshold. | Section: § 21.1 | Source: oldsaybrookct.gov

  • Portland, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed as an accessory use to a single-family residence. Coops must be situated entirely in the rear yard. | Section: § 4.2.3 | Source: portlandct.org

  • Westbrook, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is permitted by right on lots of 1 acre or more, provided coops meet accessory structure setbacks. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: westbrookct.us

New Haven County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Wolcott, Woodbridge, Woodmont

  • Ansonia, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Permitted as an accessory agricultural use on lots of 1 acre or more; structures for housing poultry must maintain the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 310.5 | Source: cityofansonia.com

  • Beacon Falls, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and poultry raising require a 2-acre minimum parcel; coops and enclosures must meet standard agricultural offsets. | Section: § 21.1 | Source: beaconfalls-ct.org

  • Bethany, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 50ft from street lines | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Farming and the keeping of poultry are permitted uses by right in residential zones, subject to standard accessory building setbacks. | Section: § 4.1.A | Source: bethany-ct.com

  • Branford, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family properties with an approved zoning permit. Coops must be kept behind the rear building line. | Section: § 6.2.E | Source: branford-ct.gov

  • Cheshire, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens are permitted on residential lots under 1 acre via an administrative permit. Standard agricultural rules apply for lots >1 acre. | Section: § 45.3 | Source: cheshirect.org

  • Derby, CT

    Total ban on poultry within Derby city limits | Section § 69-4 | Source: derbyct.gov

  • East Haven, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of up to 6 hens is allowed on single-family properties. Birds must be confined to a rear yard coop/enclosure. | Section: § 24.4 | Source: townofeasthavenct.org

  • Guilford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Permitted by right as an accessory agricultural activity on parcels of 1 acre or greater, provided coops fulfill the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 273-4 | Source: ci.guilford.ct.us

  • Hamden, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family lots via an accessory zoning certificate. Coops must be placed entirely within the rear yard. | Section: § 7.35 | Source: hamden.com

  • Madison, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Agricultural structures and coops must be located 50 feet away from side and rear boundaries on lots meeting the 1-acre farming threshold. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: madisonct.org

  • Meriden, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on owner-occupied single-family residential properties. Coops must be situated behind the rear building line. | Section: § 213-28 | Source: meridenct.gov

  • Middlebury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping poultry is considered a farming operation requiring a minimum lot size of 2 acres; buildings must satisfy agricultural offsets. | Section: § 31.1 | Source: middlebury-ct.org

  • Milford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping of poultry and livestock falls under agricultural parameters requiring large parcel configurations. | Section: § 3.1.1.5 | Source: ci.milford.ct.us

  • Naugatuck, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Up to 10 female chickens permitted on single-family properties via a zoning permit. Coops must be restricted to the rear yard. | Section: § 24.11 | Source: naugatuck-ct.gov

  • New Haven, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 20ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family or two-family properties. Coops must be locked, secure, and placed entirely in the rear yard. | Section: § 60.2 | Source: newhavenct.gov

  • North Branford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as an accessory agricultural activity on parcels of 1 acre or more. Coops must fulfill the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 21.3 | Source: townofnorthbranfordct.com

  • North Haven, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under general agricultural standards requiring 2 acres minimum; buildings require a 100ft perimeter buffer. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: northhaven-ct.gov

  • Orange, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farming and poultry operations are designated for larger configurations; structures require an extensive agricultural buffer. | Section: § 383-4 | Source: orange-ct.gov

  • Oxford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1.5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Permitted by right under accessory agricultural operations on residential parcels meeting the 1.5-acre threshold. | Section: § 5.3 | Source: oxford-ct.gov

  • Prospect, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 75ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under agricultural provisions requiring a 2-acre minimum lot; coops must satisfy standard accessory offsets. | Section: § 3.1 | Source: townofprospect.org

  • Seymour, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family properties with an approved zoning permit. Free roaming is prohibited; birds must remain in a secure enclosure. | Section: § 5.4 | Source: seymourct.org

  • Southbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional agricultural poultry keeping requires 2 acres. Coops and manure storage must maintain a 50ft buffer from neighboring lines. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: southbury-ct.org

  • Wallingford, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots via an administrative zoning permit. Coops must be completely contained within the rear yard. | Section: § 4.12.C | Source: wallingfordct.gov

  • Waterbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Restricted / Under Legal Review | Roosters: Prohibited | Permit: Zoning approval required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 1-acre minimum | Restrictions: Existing zoning treats poultry as livestock, effectively banning them on standard residential lots under 1 acre. Note: Local amendments have been proposed to allow up to 25 hens on smaller lots, but residents must verify current passage status directly with the Waterbury City Planning and Zoning Commission before purchasing birds. | Section: Art. 4, Sec. 4.10 | Source: waterburyct.org

  • West Haven, CT

    Total ban on poultry within West Haven city limits | Section § 72-12 | Source: westhavenct.gov

  • Wolcott, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100ft from property lines | Lot Size: 3 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farming and the keeping of poultry require a 3-acre minimum lot. Coops must be heavily set back from all boundaries. | Section: § 24.1 | Source: wolcottct.org

  • Woodbridge, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 75ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1.5 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture, including poultry raising, is permitted on lots of 1.5 acres or more; structures must meet the 75ft setback. | Section: § 3.2 | Source: woodbridgect.org

  • Woodmont, CT

    Total ban on poultry within Woodmont borough limits | Section § 4.1 | Source: woodmontborough.com

New London County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Groton Long Point, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Stonington Borough, Voluntown, Waterford

  • Bozrah, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is classified under agricultural operations requiring a 2-acre minimum parcel size. Coops must maintain standard structural buffers. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: bozrah.gov

  • Colchester, CT

    Hen Limit: 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Allows up to 12 hens on residential lots under 1 acre via an accessory zoning permit. Standard farming rules apply above 1 acre. | Section: § 8.4.2 | Source: colchesterct.gov

  • East Lyme, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on single-family properties. Coops and runs must be positioned exclusively in the rear yard and kept clean. | Section: § 25.5 | Source: eastlyme-ct.gov

  • Franklin, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and small livestock management are permitted on rural-residential lots meeting the 2-acre standard farming threshold. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: franklinct.com

  • Griswold, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: The keeping of poultry is allowed by right as an accessory agricultural activity on parcels of 1 acre or more. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: griswold-ct.org

  • Groton, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family residential properties via an administrative permit. Coops must be confined to the rear yard. | Section: § 7.2-3 | Source: groton-ct.gov

  • Groton Long Point, CT

    Total ban on poultry within Groton Long Point borough limits | Section § 4.1 | Source: glpassociation.org

  • Lebanon, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: General farming and poultry raising are permitted uses by right in agricultural zones, subject to standard structural boundaries. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: lebanonct.gov

  • Ledyard, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens allowed on single-family residential lots via an approved zoning permit. Free roaming is strictly prohibited. | Section: § 4.2.1 | Source: ledyardct.org

  • Lisbon, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under agricultural regulations; structures housing birds must adhere to a 50ft side and rear property line buffer. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: lisbonct.com

  • Lyme, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional farming operations and the keeping of poultry are permitted as a matter of right on lots meeting the 2-acre standard. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: townlyme.org

  • Montville, CT

    Hen Limit: 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots via a certificate of zoning compliance. Coops must be completely restricted to the rear yard. | Section: § 4.15 | Source: montville-ct.org

  • New London, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 20ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family or two-family owner-occupied properties. Coops must be secure and kept entirely within the rear yard. | Section: § 402 | Source: newlondonct.org

  • North Stonington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as an accessory agricultural activity on residential-agricultural lots of 1 acre or more; structures must meet setbacks. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: northstoningtonct.gov

  • Norwich, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Keeping hens is allowed as an accessory use to single-family residential properties. Slaughtering is explicitly prohibited. | Section: § 7.3 | Source: norwichct.org

  • Old Lyme, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Allowed by right under general farming rules on lots of at least 1 acre; coops must be situated away from property borders. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: oldlyme-ct.gov

  • Preston, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry raising and active coops are restricted to large agricultural parcels meeting the town's 2-acre framing standard. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: prestonct.org

  • Salem, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Agricultural operations, including keeping poultry, are permitted on parcels meeting the minimum lot size threshold for farms. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: salemct.gov

  • Sprague, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under agricultural provisions requiring a 2-acre minimum lot; coops must satisfy standard accessory offsets. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: ctspat.org

  • Stonington, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens are permitted on residential lots under 1 acre via an administrative permit. Standard farming rules apply above 1 acre. | Section: § 5.2.1 | Source: stonington-ct.gov

  • Stonington Borough, CT

    Total ban on poultry within Stonington borough limits | Section § 4.1 | Source: stoningtonboroughct.gov

  • Voluntown, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional agricultural poultry keeping requires 2 acres. Coops and manure storage must maintain a 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: voluntown.gov

  • Waterford, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family properties with an approved zoning permit. Coops must be kept entirely within the rear yard. | Section: § 3.2.4 | Source: waterfordct.org

Tolland County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington

  • Andover, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is permitted by right as an agricultural use on parcels of at least 1 acre; structures must follow standard setbacks. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: andoverct.org

  • Bolton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture and small livestock/poultry management fall under a 2-acre minimum rule. Structures must maintain a 50-foot boundary buffer. | Section: § 3A.2 | Source: bolton.gov

  • Columbia, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Farming and poultry raising are permitted uses on 2-acre parcels. Buildings used for housing poultry must satisfy standard agricultural offsets. | Section: § 5.2 | Source: columbiaconnecticut.org

  • Coventry, CT

    Hen Limit: 12 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 2 acres | Restrictions: Up to 12 female chickens are permitted on residential properties under 2 acres via a standard zoning permit. Coops must be in the rear yard. | Section: § 4.12 | Source: coventryct.org

  • Ellington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is permitted as an accessory agricultural activity on lots of 1 acre or larger. Structures must fulfill standard boundary buffers. | Section: § 3.2.1 | Source: ellington-ct.gov

  • Hebron, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Allows up to 10 hens on single-family properties under 1 acre with an approved zoning permit. Coops must occupy the rear yard. | Section: § 5.1.3 | Source: hebronct.com

  • Mansfield, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Permitted on residential lots under 1 acre via an accessory zoning certificate. Free roaming is prohibited; birds must remain in a secure enclosure. | Section: § 10.B | Source: mansfieldct.gov

  • Somers, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Permitted by right under general farming rules on lots of at least 1 acre; coops must be situated away from property borders. | Section: § 214-4 | Source: somersct.gov

  • Stafford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional agricultural poultry keeping requires 2 acres. Structures used for housing poultry must maintain the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: staffordct.org

  • Tolland, CT

    Hen Limit: 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 25ft from property lines, 50ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: Under 1 acre | Restrictions: Up to 10 hens are permitted on single-family lots under 1 acre via an administrative permit. Coops must be restricted to the rear yard. | Section: § 166-4.2 | Source: tollandct.gov

  • Union, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as an accessory agricultural activity; buildings housing poultry or storing manure must follow standard structural setbacks. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: unionconnecticut.org

  • Vernon, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on owner-occupied single-family residential properties. Coops must be kept entirely within the rear yard. | Section: § 3.22 | Source: vernon-ct.gov

  • Willington, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under general agricultural standards requiring 1 acre minimum; structures require a 50-foot buffer from neighboring lines. | Section: § 4.2 | Source: willingtonct.org

Windham County

  • Cities & Towns Covered: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Danielson, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Windham, Woodstock

  • Ashford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: General farming and poultry raising are permitted by right on residential-agricultural lots of 1 acre or more; structures must meet standard agricultural buffers. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: ashfordtownhall.org

  • Brooklyn, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is governed under traditional agricultural rules requiring a 2-acre minimum parcel size. Coops must maintain a 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 3.2.1 | Source: brooklynct.org

  • Canterbury, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Farming and poultry operations are designated as permitted uses on parcels of 1 acre or larger. Structures must meet standard accessory offsets. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: canterburyct.org

  • Chaplin, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Poultry keeping falls under the town's general agricultural standards; coops or structures housing birds must adhere to a 50ft side and rear property line buffer. | Section: § 5.1 | Source: chaplinct.org

  • Danielson, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Governing rules follow the Killingly town framework for borough residential structures. Coops must occupy the rear yard. | Section: § 520.4 | Source: killingly.org

  • Eastford, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agriculture, including the keeping and breeding of poultry, is restricted to parcels meeting the town's 2-acre farming threshold. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: eastfordct.org

  • Hampton, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from all property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Regulated as a by-right accessory agricultural activity on lots of 1 acre or greater, provided coops fulfill the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: hamptonct.org

  • Killingly, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 15ft from property lines, 30ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on residential lots via a certificate of zoning compliance. Free roaming is prohibited; birds must remain in a secure enclosure in the rear yard. | Section: § 520.4 | Source: killingly.org

  • Plainfield, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Traditional agricultural poultry keeping requires 2 acres. Buildings used for housing poultry or storing manure must meet agricultural offsets. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: plainfieldct.org

  • Pomfret, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines, 100ft from street lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under agricultural provisions requiring a 2-acre minimum lot. Coops must be situated away from residential borders. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: pomfretct.gov

  • Putnam, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 20ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Permitted on owner-occupied single-family properties within the town and mill districts. Coops must be completely contained within the rear yard. | Section: § 304 | Source: putnamct.us

  • Scotland, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: The keeping and breeding of poultry is permitted as a traditional agricultural operation on lots meeting the 2-acre minimum. | Section: § 4.1 | Source: scotlandct.org

  • Sterling, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Keeping of poultry is permitted as an accessory agricultural use on lots of 1 acre or more; structures must maintain the 50ft boundary buffer. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: sterlingct.us

  • Thompson, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 1 acre minimum | Restrictions: Regulated under general agricultural standards requiring a 1-acre threshold; buildings housing poultry require a 50ft perimeter buffer. | Section: § 4.1.2 | Source: thompsonct.org

  • Windham, CT

    Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with no fee specified | Setback: 10ft from property lines, 25ft from neighboring dwellings | Lot Size: No minimum | Restrictions: Allowed on single-family properties with an approved zoning permit. Birds must be confined to a rear yard coop/enclosure. Slaughtering is explicitly prohibited. | Section: § 67-4 | Source: windhamct.com

  • Woodstock, CT

    Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50ft from property lines | Lot Size: 2 acres minimum | Restrictions: Agricultural structures and coops must be located 50 feet away from side and rear boundaries on lots meeting the 2-acre farming threshold. | Section: § 4.1.1 | Source: woodstockct.gov

Connecticut Predator Threats

From suburban raccoons in Stamford to fishers in Litchfield woods, Connecticut flocks face sneaky threats.

  • Urban: Raccoons, opossums, hawks.
  • Rural: Foxes, coyotes, fishers, bobcats.
  • Aerial: Red-tailed hawks, owls.
  • Local: Weasels, snakes, feral cats.

Connecticut essentials: Half-inch hardware cloth buried 12 inches, dual latches, hawk netting, fisher-proof doors.

Selling Backyard Eggs in Connecticut

Connecticut cottage food laws allow small direct egg sales with no permit.

  • Direct sales: Exempt; label ungraded + safe handling.
  • Markets: No permit under certain volumes; CT DoAg registration for larger.

Connecticut State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Under Connecticut regulations (aligned with federal USDA Poultry Products Inspection Act — PPIA — exemptions and administered through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Small Poultry Processor Inspection Program), backyard poultry owners follow these guidelines statewide (no mandatory state inspection program exists for small-scale personal use, but a voluntary program applies for certain exempt sales):

  • Personal Use: Fully exempt and legal. You may slaughter birds you raised yourself for your household, family, non-paying guests, or employees without inspection, licensing, or registration required, provided sanitary conditions are followed and the product is not sold or distributed.
  • Commercial Sale: Restricted. Home-slaughtered poultry meat cannot be sold unless processed in a USDA-inspected facility or under a federal small-producer exemption (e.g., Producer/Grower ≤1,000 birds/year or ≤20,000 birds/year with limits on sales/distribution and sanitary practices). Most backyard flocks do not qualify for resale; for exempt sales (e.g., to household consumers, restaurants, hotels, or boarding houses), facilities must participate in the Connecticut Small Poultry Processor Inspection Program to be designated as approved sources, and sales are limited to in-state direct/approved channels (no wholesale/resale to distributors or retail stores without inspection).
  • Humane Standards: Required. Personal processing must follow humane handling practices under state animal welfare laws and sanitary conditions to ensure products are sound, clean, and fit for human food.
  • Nuisance Laws: Enforced locally. On-site slaughter in residential areas may be restricted or prohibited due to noise, odors, visibility, waste, or public nuisance ordinances — even where chicken ownership is permitted; local health departments or zoning often enforce these promptly.

Connecticut accepts federal exemptions (1,000- or 20,000-bird limits) but requires participation in its Small Poultry Processor Inspection Program for exempt operations supplying certain outlets. For official guidance, review USDA FSIS Poultry Exemptions or visit the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Small Poultry Processor Inspection Program page.

Rural & Unincorporated Towns / Counties

Connecticut does not have any unincorporated land. Every single square inch of the state is fully incorporated and divided cleanly among its 169 towns. While some states feature vast rural territories governed under county-level jurisdiction, Connecticut entirely dissolved its functional county governments in 1960. Instead, the state relies completely on a system of municipal "home rule."

Consequently, geographic areas often called "villages" (such as Mystic or Stafford Springs) are not politically independent or unincorporated; they are distinct neighborhoods completely nestled inside the political boundaries of one or more of the 169 established towns. Because there is no "county land" or "no man's land," all property owners are subject strictly to the local municipal ordinances and zoning regulations—including the specific poultry and livestock codes—of the town in which their land sits.

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?

Ready to build your coop? Follow our Step-by-Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide and construct a sturdy, well-ventilated coop built specifically to handle Connecticut's damp coastal winds, humid summers, and freezing New England winters.

Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Nutmeg State. From selecting hardy breeds that handle variable maritime and continental shifts to managing heavy snow, seasonal mud, and intense predator pressure from Connecticut's native fishers, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey, our guides help you maintain a productive, neighborhood-friendly flock.

Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide

Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. Information is for general reference only, based on public sources at time of publication. Local laws, zoning, and HOA rules change frequently. Always verify directly with your city, county, planning department, animal control, or HOA for your address. See our full Disclaimer & Legal Notice.