Can I keep chickens in Orlando, FL?
Yes — Orlando allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (6.19, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($50) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop and pen must be behind the house and fully predator-secured with hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, at least 20 ft from neighboring homes, 5 ft from the applicant's own house and 5 ft from the property line, with coop plus run under 50 sq ft. A $20 UF Extension class is required before permitting and the city caps total permits at 100. |
| Code section | 6.19 |
Up to 4 hens may be kept at an occupied single-family residence with a city Backyard Chicken Permit. Roosters and all other poultry are prohibited and on-site slaughter is not allowed. The permit costs $50 and requires a $20 UF Extension class first; the city limits the program to 100 permits citywide.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Orlando?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Orlando (6.19).
How many chickens can I keep in Orlando?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Orlando?
Yes — Orlando requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $50).
Are roosters allowed in Orlando?
No — roosters are prohibited in Orlando.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Orlando?
20 feet minimum. Coop and pen must be behind the house and fully predator-secured with hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, at least 20 ft from neighboring homes, 5 ft from the applicant's own house and 5 ft from the property line, with coop plus run under 50 sq ft. A $20 UF Extension class is required before permitting and the city caps total permits at 100.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Orlando?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Orlando's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Orlando?
6.19. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
6.19 — read the official code
“Any person keeping chickens as an accessory to an occupied dwelling shall be subject to the following restrictions: Up to four chickens may be kept at an occupied single family residence upon receiving a permit from the City” source
“Up to four chickens may be kept at an occupied single family residence upon receiving a permit from the City. Ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, male chickens/roosters, pigeons, or any other poultry or fowl are not allowed. Chickens may not be slaughtered on premises.” source
“The coop must be at least 20 feet away from neighboring homes, at least five feet away from your house and at least five feet away from the property line. If approved, you will need to pay a $50 permit fee.” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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