Can I keep chickens in Mobile, AL?
Yes, with conditions — Mobile allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Roosters are prohibited. (Code of the City of Mobile, Ch. 7 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 7-14, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop rules | Permit from the Animal Services director required. Fowl must be housed to the director's standards. Roosters prohibited in any residentially zoned area except a residential-agricultural (R-A) district. |
| Code section | Code of the City of Mobile, Ch. 7 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 7-14 |
Mobile requires a permit from the Animal Services director to keep any domestic fowl. Roosters are prohibited in residential zones (allowed only in residential-agricultural R-A districts), and fowl must be housed to standards the director sets. The code fixes no numeric hen cap, so keeping is conditional.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Mobile?
Yes, with conditions — Mobile allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of the City of Mobile, Ch. 7 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 7-14).
How many chickens can I keep in Mobile?
It depends on your lot. Permit from director required; no numeric cap stated in code. Roosters barred in residential zones except R-A (Sec. 7-14).. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Mobile?
Yes — Mobile requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Mobile?
No — roosters are prohibited in Mobile.
What law covers backyard chickens in Mobile?
Code of the City of Mobile, Ch. 7 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 7-14. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of the City of Mobile, Ch. 7 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 7-14 — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain domestic fowl within the city without a permit from the director (Sec. 7-14).” source
“No permit will be issued authorizing the keeping of any rooster within a residentially zoned area other than an area zoned as a residential-agricultural (R-A) district (Sec. 7-14).” 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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