West Virginia Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Hen Limits, and Setbacks by City and County
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How many chickens can I have inside West Virginia city limits?
Hen Limit: No statewide cap. Cities set the number. Many towns allow 4–6 hens; several ban poultry inside city limits. Unincorporated land is usually more open.
Roosters: No statewide ban. Cities often prohibit them.
Permit: No statewide backyard-chicken permit. Many cities require a local permit.
Setback: No statewide distance. Local codes often use 10–50 ft from a neighboring dwelling or lot line.
State agencies: West Virginia Department of Agriculture (animal health). Livestock running at large is addressed in WV Code §19-18. WV Code §19-19 (Right to Farm) does not replace city zoning.
⚠️ Important: West Virginia ordinances may change without notice. Always verify the current rules with your local jurisdiction and any HOA before building a coop.
Official Sources & Data Integrity
We refer to West Virginia municipal bylaws and ordinances from verified platforms like ecode360.com, municode.com, and local government websites at the time of publication. You can review state-level rules via West Virginia Animal Health Division
Note: Not specified means no specific requirement was identified in the applicable municipal sources reviewed. No published ordinance means no hen, rooster, permit, or setback rule was found in the city’s published code.
West Virginia Ordinances by City & County
Barbour County, WV
Belington, WV
No published ordinance
Philippi, WV
No published ordinance
Berkeley County, WV
Martinsburg, WV
Martinsburg, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Boone County, WV
Madison, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from a door or window of any occupied structure other than the owner’s
Brooke County, WV
Follansbee, WV
No published ordinance
Weirton, WV
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 60 ft from any structure owned by another and used for human habitation
Wellsburg, WV
No published ordinance
Cabell County, WV
Barboursville, WV
No published ordinance
Huntington, WV
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified
Milton, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any habitable structure on neighboring property
Fayette County, WV
Ansted, WV
No published ordinance
Fayetteville, WV
No published ordinance
Montgomery, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens on lots under 40,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from property lines; 25 ft from any residential structure
Mount Hope, WV
No published ordinance
Oak Hill, WV
No published ordinance
Gilmer County, WV
Glenville, WV
Glenville, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Grant County, WV
Petersburg, WV
No published ordinance
Greenbrier County, WV
Lewisburg, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from any property line
Rainelle, WV
No published ordinance
Ronceverte, WV
No published ordinance
White Sulphur Springs, WV
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 50 ft from any property line
Hampshire County, WV
Romney, WV
No published ordinance
Hancock County, WV
Chester, WV
No published ordinance
Hardy County, WV
Moorefield, WV
No published ordinance
Harrison County, WV
Bridgeport, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 10 adult fowl | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100 ft from any residence other than the owner’s
Clarksburg, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 20 domestic fowl | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 30 ft from any neighboring home
Nutter Fort, WV
No published ordinance
Salem, WV
No published ordinance
Shinnston, WV
No published ordinance
Stonewood, WV
No published ordinance
Jackson County, WV
Ravenswood, WV
No published ordinance
Ripley, WV
No published ordinance
Jefferson County, WV
Charles Town, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 25 hens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified
Ranson, WV
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified
Shepherdstown, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 25 chickens | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified
Kanawha County, WV
Belle, WV
No published ordinance
Charleston, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 25 ft from any structure owned by another and used for human habitation
Chesapeake, WV
No published ordinance
Dunbar, WV
No published ordinance
Marmet, WV
No published ordinance
Nitro, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any structure used for human habitation
St. Albans, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any structure used for human habitation
South Charleston, WV
South Charleston, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Lewis County, WV
Weston, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified
Logan County, WV
Logan, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any dwelling on adjacent lots
Marion County, WV
Barrackville, WV
No published ordinance
Fairmont, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 35 ft from any residence other than the owner’s
Mannington, WV
Mannington, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Monongah, WV
No published ordinance
Pleasant Valley, WV
No published ordinance
Marshall County, WV
Benwood, WV
No published ordinance
Glen Dale, WV
Glen Dale, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
McMechen, WV
No published ordinance
Moundsville, WV
Moundsville, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Mason County, WV
New Haven, WV
No published ordinance
Point Pleasant, WV
Point Pleasant, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
McDowell County, WV
Welch, WV
No published ordinance
Mercer County, WV
Athens, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Bluefield, WV
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified
Princeton, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from neighboring dwellings
Mineral County, WV
Keyser, WV
Keyser, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Mingo County, WV
Williamson, WV
No published ordinance
Monongalia County, WV
Granville, WV
No published ordinance
Morgantown, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 20 ft from neighboring dwellings
Star City, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified
Westover, WV
Westover, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Nicholas County, WV
Richwood, WV
No published ordinance
Summersville, WV
No published ordinance
Ohio County, WV
Bethlehem, WV
No published ordinance
West Liberty, WV
West Liberty, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Wheeling, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from side or rear property lines; 30 ft from any residential dwelling on adjacent property
Pleasants County, WV
St. Marys, WV
No published ordinance
Preston County, WV
Kingwood, WV
Kingwood, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Terra Alta, WV
No published ordinance
Putnam County, WV
Buffalo, WV
No published ordinance
Eleanor, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified
Hurricane, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any structure used for human habitation
Winfield, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any structure used for human habitation
Raleigh County, WV
Beckley, WV
Beckley, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Mabscott, WV
No published ordinance
Sophia, WV
No published ordinance
Randolph County, WV
Elkins, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from any neighboring residence
Ritchie County, WV
Harrisville, WV
No published ordinance
Pennsboro, WV
No published ordinance
Roane County, WV
Spencer, WV
No published ordinance
Summers County, WV
Hinton, WV
No published ordinance
Taylor County, WV
Grafton, WV
No published ordinance
Tucker County, WV
Parsons, WV
No published ordinance
Tyler County, WV
Paden City, WV
No published ordinance
Sistersville, WV
No published ordinance
Upshur County, WV
Buckhannon, WV
Buckhannon, WV has a total ban on poultry within city limits
Wayne County, WV
Ceredo, WV
No published ordinance
Kenova, WV
No published ordinance
Wayne, WV
No published ordinance
Wetzel County, WV
New Martinsville, WV
No published ordinance
Wood County, WV
Parkersburg, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 15 ft from property lines; 20 ft from any neighboring dwelling
Vienna, WV
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 20 ft from any neighboring dwelling
Williamstown, WV
No published ordinance
Wyoming County, WV
Mullens, WV
No published ordinance
Oceana, WV
No published ordinance
West Virginia Unincorporated Communities
Places outside city or town limits follow County Code. Rules use the same fields as the city list.
Unincorporated Jefferson County, WV
Communities: Shannondale, Middleway, Shenandoah Junction, Kearneysville
Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens or ducks combined on residential lots; not specified on agricultural land | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 100 ft from front property lines
Unincorporated Kanawha County, WV
Communities: Cross Lanes, Sissonville, Alum Creek, Elkview, Big Chimney, Pinch
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified
Unincorporated Monongalia County, WV
Communities: Cheat Lake, Brookhaven, Cassville, Cheat Neck, Pursglove
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified
Unincorporated Putnam County, WV
Communities: Teays Valley, Scott Depot, Culloden
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified
Unincorporated Wood County, WV
Communities: Blennerhassett, Boaz, Mineralwells, Lubeck, Washington
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified
What are HOA rules in West Virginia?
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) can legally ban or restrict chickens even if your city allows them. Review your CC&Rs before starting a flock.
Can I legally sell my backyard eggs in West Virginia?
Yes. Under WV Code §19-10A (The Egg Law), small producers selling directly to consumers are permitted to operate with minimal red tape, provided they follow safety and labeling standards.
Small Producer Exemption: Small-scale sales (direct-to-consumer) are typically exempt from distributor fees but still require registration with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA).
Labeling Requirements: Cartons must be labeled with the producer’s name, address, "Keep Refrigerated" statement, pack date, and "Ungraded" (if not officially sized).
Safe Handling: Eggs must be maintained at a temperature of 45°F or below. Reused cartons must have all original branding and USDA grade marks blacked out.
Commercial Sales: Selling to restaurants or grocery stores requires a formal Egg Distributor License and stricter grading inspections.
Can I slaughter backyard chickens in West Virginia?
Yes, for personal use. Under WV Code §19-2B-8, you may slaughter poultry you have raised yourself for the exclusive consumption of your household and non-paying guests without state inspection or a permit. If you intend to sell slaughtered poultry, you must comply with the following:
The 1,000-Bird Exemption: Small-scale producers can slaughter up to 1,000 birds per year on-farm for direct-to-consumer sale without daily inspection, provided the birds are healthy and processed under sanitary conditions.
The 20,000-Bird Exemption: For sales up to 20,000 birds, you must register with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and follow specific labeling and basic facility requirements.
Local Restrictions: While the state allows it, many incorporated cities (like Charleston or Huntington) strictly prohibit "home slaughter" within city limits due to health, sanitation, and noise ordinances.
Pro-Tip: Even if your city allows it, you must dispose of "poultry mortality" (offal and waste) according to WV Administrative Rule §61-1C, which mandates sanitary burial, composting, or incineration to prevent groundwater contamination.
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, rain-resistant 4x12 coop built specifically for West Virginia’s harsh winters and summer's humid climate.
Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Mountain State. From selecting cold-hardy breeds that thrive in damp hollows to managing mud, odor, and intense predator pressure from West Virginia's native raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats, our guides help you maintain a productive flock through every ridge-top winter.
Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide