Can I keep chickens in Decatur, AL?
No — Decatur does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Zoning Sec. 25-12.1 (AG-1 Agricultural district) and Animal Chapter Sec. 4-5, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Coop rules | Poultry raising permitted only in the AG-1 Agricultural district as a general farming use; residential districts do not permit poultry. Sec. 4-5 bars keeping livestock (which under Ala. Code 3-5-1 includes fowl) except where the zoning ordinance permits. |
| Code section | Zoning Sec. 25-12.1 (AG-1 Agricultural district) and Animal Chapter Sec. 4-5 |
Decatur permits poultry raising only in the AG-1 Agricultural district. Poultry is not a permitted use in any residential district, and the animal chapter bars keeping livestock (including fowl) except where zoning permits. So chickens are not allowed in residential districts.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Decatur?
No — chickens are not allowed in Decatur (Zoning Sec. 25-12.1 (AG-1 Agricultural district) and Animal Chapter Sec. 4-5).
What law covers backyard chickens in Decatur?
Zoning Sec. 25-12.1 (AG-1 Agricultural district) and Animal Chapter Sec. 4-5. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Sec. 25-12.1 (AG-1 Agricultural district) and Animal Chapter Sec. 4-5 — read the official code
“AG-1 (Agricultural district) Uses permitted: General farming including horticulture; dairying; apiaries; livestock and poultry raising; fish hatcheries; and other similar enterprises or uses.” source
“Sec. 4-5. Keeping livestock. Except where permitted under the zoning ordinance, no person shall keep livestock, as defined by Code of Ala. 1975, section 3-5-1, within the city.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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