New York Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits & Setbacks by City and Town

New York Backyard Chicken Laws by City & County

Summary of common rules: New York has no statewide backyard chicken law. Rules are set locally by cities, towns, and counties. Larger cities often allow limited hens (typically 4–8) with permits and ban roosters. Many smaller towns have no dedicated ordinance and default to general zoning, nuisance, or livestock rules. Laws change — always verify with the current municipal code, city hall, or county planning department. Priority sources: ecode360.com and library.municode.com where available.

Albany (Albany County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 15 feet from property lines; coop max 32 sq ft for 6 hens
• Permit: Annual permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Albion (Orleans County)

• Hens: Up to 5 hens (lots less than 1 acre); up to 7 hens (lots more than 1 acre)
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 100 feet from any residential property (unless specific exemption met)
• Permit: Required ($10 fee, valid for 2 years)
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Amherst (Erie County)

• Hens: No specific ordinance found
• Roosters: Generally prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: No permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: No minimum acreage

Babylon (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard setbacks apply
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Binghamton (Broome County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 15 feet from property lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Brookhaven (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens on parcels under 20,000 sq ft; up to 12 on 20,000+ sq ft
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 10 feet from property lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Varies by parcel size

Buffalo (Erie County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: License required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Allowed in single and multifamily dwellings

Canandaigua (Ontario County)

• Hens: Allowed with permit
• Roosters: Generally prohibited in residential zones
• Setback: Must be maintained in sanitary condition; inspections required
• Permit: Required (Animal Permit from Code Enforcement)
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Cheektowaga (Erie County)

• Hens: No specific ordinance found
• Roosters: Generally prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: No permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: No minimum acreage

Cortland (Cortland County)

• Hens: Allowed
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Annual "Exotic Pet Permit" required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

East Hampton (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 10 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Agricultural zoning preferred

Geneva (Ontario County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Coop at least 15 feet from property lines (3 feet if built before May 2014)
• Permit: Special Use Permit required (non-transferable)
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Accessory use to single-family detached dwellings only

Gloversville (Fulton County)

• Hens: Prohibited on small lots
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: N/A
• Permit: Generally not available for residential lots
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Minimum 5 acres required for the first "farm animal"

Greece (Monroe County)

• Hens: No specific ordinance found
• Roosters: Generally prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: No permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: No minimum acreage

Hempstead (Nassau County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Coop at least 25 feet from dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Hudson (Columbia County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard only; at least 5 feet from rear and side lot lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots; coop max 120 sq ft

Huntington (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard; at least 20 feet from dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Islip (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 15 chickens per 500 sq ft of rear yard
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Building permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Must remain contained at all times

Ithaca (Tompkins County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks; rear yard only
• Permit: Required ($35 one-time fee); must attend a Chicken Keeping Seminar
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Minimum lot size 2,000 sq ft

Kingston (Ulster County)

• Hens: Up to 12 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Required for "Urban Agriculture" lots
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Lackawanna (Erie County)

• Hens: Prohibited
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: N/A
• Permit: None (Banned)
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Livestock and poultry prohibited within city limits

Middletown (Orange County)

• Hens: Prohibited
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: N/A
• Permit: None (Banned)
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: City code specifically prohibits harboring chickens or roosters in any dwelling or lot

Montour Falls (Schuyler County)

• Hens: Up to 12 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited (including guinea fowl)
• Setback: Standard setbacks; slaughtering prohibited on property
• Permit: Required from Village Building Inspector
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Mount Vernon (Westchester County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 20 feet from neighboring dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

New Rochelle (Westchester County)

• Hens: Up to 8 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard; at least 15 feet from property lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

New York City (All Boroughs)

• Hens: Allowed; no specific hen limit, but flock size must comply with sanitation and nuisance laws
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: No defined setback; coops must meet housing, sanitation, and pest control requirements
• Permit: No permit required for personal use
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: No minimum specified; personal use only

Niagara Falls (Niagara County)

• Hens: Up to 4 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard; at least 10 feet from property lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Riverhead (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 10 hens on at least one-half acre
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Agricultural zoning preferred

Rochester (Monroe County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 15 feet from property lines; coop max 120 sq ft
• Permit: Registration and seminar required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Schenectady (Schenectady County)

• Hens: Up to 5 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard setbacks apply
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Smithtown (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens on less than 1 acre
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Coop at least 25 feet from neighboring dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Southampton (Suffolk County)

• Hens: Up to 12 hens on at least 1 acre
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard; at least 25 feet from neighboring dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Syracuse (Onondaga County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens on lots under 2 acres
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 20 feet from neighboring properties; rear yard only
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Varies by lot size

Troy (Rensselaer County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Rear yard setbacks apply
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Utica (Oneida County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

White Plains (Westchester County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 20 feet from neighboring dwellings
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

Yonkers (Westchester County)

• Hens: Up to 6 hens
• Roosters: Prohibited
• Setback: At least 20 feet from dwellings and 10 feet from property lines
• Permit: Required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: Standard residential lots

New York Smaller Towns & Villages

Most smaller New York towns and villages have no dedicated ordinance and default to general zoning, nuisance, or livestock rules. Hens are often allowed in limited numbers subject to no nuisance complaints; roosters are frequently restricted or prohibited due to noise.

Counties Covered

All other New York counties and towns not listed above with specific rules (including many in the Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, North Country, Central New York, and Western New York).

Cities and Towns

Adams, Addison, Akron, Alden, Alexander, Alexandria Bay, Alfred, Allegany, Altamont, Andes, Angelica, Angola, Arcade, Arkport, Attica, Avon, Bainbridge, Baldwinsville, Ballston Spa, Barker, Batavia, Bath, Bayville, Beacon, Belmont, Bemus Point, Bergen, Berkshire, Berlin, Berne, Bethel, Bethlehem, Big Flats, Blasdell, Bloomfield, Bolivar, Boonville, Brewster, Briarcliff Manor, Bridgeport, Bridgewater, Brighton, Broadalbin, Brockport, Brocton, Bronxville, Brookfield, Brookville, Brownville, Brushton, Burdett, Burke, Cairo, Caledonia, Cambridge, Camden, Camillus, Canajoharie, Canaseraga, Canastota, Candor, Canisteo, Canton, Cape Vincent, Carle Place, Carthage, Cato, Catskill, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Cayuga Heights, Cazenovia, Center Moriches, Central Square, Centre Island, Chateaugay, Chatham, Chaumont, Chazy, Cherry Creek, Cherry Valley, Chester, Chestnut Ridge, Chili, Churchville, Clarence, Clayton, Clifton Springs, Clinton, Clyde, Cobleskill, Coeymans, Cohoes, Cold Spring, Cold Spring Harbor, Colesville, Collins, Constableville, Cooperstown, Corning, Cornwall, Cornwall-on-Hudson, Cortland, Coxsackie, Croton-on-Hudson, Cuba, Dannemora, Dansville, Delhi, Delmar, Deposit, Dexter, Dobbs Ferry, Dolgeville, Dryden, Dundee, Dunkirk, Earlville, East Aurora, East Greenbush, East Hills, East Islip, East Rochester, East Syracuse, Eastchester, Eden, Edwards, Elba, Elbridge, Ellenville, Ellicottville, Elma, Elmont, Elmsford, Endicott, Endwell, Fair Haven, Fairport, Falconer, Farmingdale, Farnham, Fayetteville, Fishkill, Fleischmanns, Floral Park, Florida, Flower Hill, Forestville, Fort Edward, Fort Plain, Frankfort, Franklin, Franklin Square, Fredonia, Freeport, Freeville, Frewsburg, Friendship, Fulton, Fultonville, Gainesville, Galeville, Galway, Garden City, Garden City Park, Gardiner, Gasport, Gates, Geneseo, Germantown, Ghent, Gilbertsville, Glen Cove, Glendale, Glenwood Landing, Gloversville, Goshen, Gouverneur, Gowanda, Granville, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Green Island, Greene, Greenport, Greenvale, Greenwood Lake, Groton, Hagaman, Hamburg, Hamilton, Hammond, Hammondsport, Hancock, Hannibal, Harrison, Harrisville, Hastings-on-Hudson, Haverstraw, Herkimer, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Highland, Highland Falls, Highwood, Hilton, Hobart, Holbrook, Holland, Holtsville, Homer, Honeoye Falls, Hoosick Falls, Hornell, Horseheads, Hudson, Hudson Falls, Ilion, Interlaken, Islandia, Island Park, Jamesport, Jeffersonville, Johnson City, Johnstown, Jordan, Katonah, Keeseville, Kenmore, Kensington, Kerhonkson, Kinderhook, Kings Point, Lackawanna, Lacona, Lake George, Lake Grove, Lake Placid, Lake Success, Lancaster, Larchmont, Laurel Hollow, Laurens, Lawrence, Le Roy, Levittown, Lewiston, Liberty, Lindenhurst, Lisbon, Lisle, Little Falls, Little Valley, Liverpool, Lloyd Harbor, Locust Valley, Long Beach, Long Lake, Lowville, Lyons, Lyons Falls, Macedon, Mahopac, Malone, Malverne, Mamaroneck, Manchester, Manhasset, Manhasset Hills, Manlius, Manorhaven, Marcellus, Margaretville, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Massena, Matinecock, Mattituck, Maybrook, Mayville, Mechanicville, Medina, Menands, Merrick, Mexico, Middleburgh, Middleport, Millbrook, Millerton, Mill Neck, Millport, Mineola, Minoa, Monroe, Monticello, Montour Falls, Moravia, Morris, Morrisville, Mount Kisco, Mount Morris, Munsey Park, Muttontown, Nanuet, Nanticoke, Naples, Nassau, Nelliston, Nelsonville, New Berlin, New Cassel, New City, New Hartford, New Hyde Park, New Paltz, New Square, New York Mills, Newark, Newark Valley, Nichols, North Babylon, North Bellmore, North Collins, North Great Neck, North Haven, North Hills, North Lynbrook, North Massapequa, North Merrick, North New Hyde Park, North Patchogue, North Syracuse, North Tonawanda, North Valley Stream, North Wantagh, Northport, Norwood, Nunda, Nyack, Oakfield, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Odessa, Old Bethpage, Old Brookville, Old Field, Old Westbury, Oneida, Oneonta, Ontario, Orchard Park, Oriskany, Oriskany Falls, Ossining, Oswego, Otego, Otisville, Ovid, Owego, Oxford, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, Painted Post, Palatine Bridge, Palmyra, Parish, Patchogue, Pawling, Pearl River, Peekskill, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Penn Yan, Perry, Peru, Phelps, Philadelphia, Philmont, Phoenicia, Piermont, Pittsford, Plainedge, Plainview, Pleasantville, Poland, Port Byron, Port Chester, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Port Jervis, Port Washington, Potsdam, Pulaski, Quogue, Randolph, Ransomville, Ravena, Red Creek, Red Hook, Remsenburg-Speonk, Rhinebeck, Richfield Springs, Richville, Riverside, Rockville Centre, Rocky Point, Roscoe, Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Heights, Rotterdam, Round Lake, Rouses Point, Rushville, Rye, Rye Brook, Sackets Harbor, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, Salamanca, Salisbury, Sands Point, Saranac Lake, Saugerties, Savannah, Scarsdale, Schaghticoke, Schoharie, Schuyler Falls, Scotia, Scottsville, Sea Cliff, Searingtown, Seneca Falls, Setauket-East Setauket, Sharon Springs, Sherburne, Sherman, Sherrill, Shinnecock Hills, Shortsville, Sidney, Silver Creek, Silver Springs, Sinclairville, Skaneateles, Sleepy Hollow, Sloatsburg, Smallwood, Sodus, Sodus Point, Solvay, South Floral Park, South Glens Falls, South Hempstead, South Huntington, South Nyack, South Valley Stream, Spencer, Spencerport, Spring Valley, Springville, Stamford, Stewart Manor, Stillwater, Stone Ridge, Suffern, Syosset, Tarrytown, Ticonderoga, Tivoli, Trumansburg, Tuckahoe, Tully, Tupper Lake, Turin, Unadilla, Union Springs, Uniondale, Upper Brookville, Upper Nyack, Vails Gate, Valatie, Valley Cottage, Valley Falls, Valley Stream, Vernon, Verona, Vestal, Victor, Victory, Village of the Branch, Viola, Voorheesville, Waddington, Wading River, Wainscott, Walden, Walker Valley, Wallkill, Walton, Wampsville, Wantagh, Wappingers Falls, Warwick, Washingtonville, Waterford, Waterloo, Watkins Glen, Waverly, Wayland, Webster, Weedsport, Wellsburg, Wellsville, West Babylon, West Carthage, West Elmira, West Hampton Dunes, West Haverstraw, West Hempstead, West Hurley, West Islip, West Nyack, West Seneca, West Winfield, Westbury, Westernville, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Wheatley Heights, Whitehall, Whitesboro, Whitney Point, Williamsville, Williston Park, Willsboro, Wilson, Windsor, Winthrop, Wolcott, Woodbury, Woodmere, Woodridge, Woodsburgh, Woodstock, Worcester, Wurtsboro, Wyandanch, Wynantskill, Wyoming, Yaphank, Yorkville, Youngstown.

• Hens: No specific ordinance found
• Roosters: Generally prohibited
• Setback: Standard setbacks
• Permit: No permit required
• Lot size / Minimum acreage: No minimum acreage

New York Rural & Unincorporated Areas

In New York, most land outside of the major cities is organized into Towns (which function similarly to townships) and Villages. While New York has vast rural stretches in the Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier, almost all of it falls under a specific municipal jurisdiction. However, these rural Towns are generally very permissive toward backyard poultry. Many follow the state’s Right to Farm protections, especially if the property is located within a county-level Agricultural District. On larger rural lots, roosters are commonly allowed, hen limits are rare, and permits are often unnecessary unless a large permanent structure is being built.

Always verify local laws with the Town or Village Clerk, as "village" rules in New York tend to be significantly stricter than "town" rules (villages are often the denser, more regulated hubs within a larger town). In rural New York, the primary challenges are environmental: severe winters and heavy predator pressure. Secure, draft-free, and well-ventilated coops are a legal and practical necessity to prevent animal cruelty or nuisance complaints. Common predators include coyotes, foxes, fishers, and birds of prey, making hardware cloth and overhead netting standard for rural keepers.

Most populated rural or semi-rural towns with active chicken-keeping communities include: Brookhaven and Riverhead (Suffolk County), Clarence and Amherst (Erie County), Warwick (Orange County), Cortlandt (Westchester County), and numerous towns across Dutchess, Saratoga, and Ulster Counties.

New York Predator Challenges

Common threats include foxes, raccoons, hawks, coyotes, and weasels. Secure coops are essential statewide, especially in wooded and suburban areas.

• Top risks: Foxes, raccoons, coyotes.
• Protection tips: Use buried hardware cloth at least 12 inches deep, strong locks, and elevated coops.

Selling Backyard Eggs in New York

Small direct-to-consumer egg sales are allowed under New York’s cottage food framework, with no permit required for very small-scale sales. Eggs must be labeled as ungraded and handled safely. Larger or ongoing sales may require AGM registration or licensing, especially if selling at markets or beyond direct household-to-household transactions.

• Small-scale sales: Allowed without a permit when selling directly to consumers.
• Labeling: Mark eggs as “ungraded” and include safe-handling guidance.
• Larger operations: May require AGM licensing or registration depending on volume and sales channels.
• Where you can sell: Direct sales, farm stands, and some markets (check local rules).

New York State Poultry Slaughter Rules

In New York, residents may slaughter poultry for personal consumption, but must follow state and federal guidelines regarding food safety, humane handling, and zoning restrictions. Rules differ significantly between personal use and commercial sale.

• Personal Use: Individuals may slaughter their own poultry on private property for personal consumption without inspection, provided it is not sold and local zoning or nuisance laws are not violated.
• Commercial Sale: Poultry processed for sale must comply with USDA or New York State inspection requirements, unless qualifying for a small producer exemption (such as the federal 1,000 or 20,000 bird exemptions). Producers must also follow labeling, sanitation, and recordkeeping rules.
• Humane Standards: Poultry must be slaughtered using humane methods in accordance with accepted agricultural practices. While federal humane slaughter laws primarily apply to livestock, improper or inhumane treatment may still violate animal cruelty laws.
• Nuisance Laws: Slaughtering activities must not create public nuisances such as excessive odor, noise, or improper waste disposal. Local municipalities may impose additional restrictions or prohibit slaughtering in residential areas.

Next Step: Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

From New York State snow to NYC micro-flock rules, our versatile chicken coop designs fit the diverse needs of poultry keepers across the state. For ongoing care, view our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Coop Management Guide.