Can I keep chickens in Athens, GA?
Yes — Athens allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Covered enclosure in the rear yard; chickens always fenced; coop setback from property line varies by zone (10 ft RM/RS-5, 16 ft RS-8, 30 ft RS-15, 50 ft RS-25/RS-40) and 20 ft from neighboring residential structures; rodent-proof feed storage. |
| Code section | Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture) |
Athens-Clarke County permits up to 6 chickens per parcel in all zoning districts for noncommercial use; roosters and crowing chickens are prohibited. Coops sit in the rear yard with zone-dependent setbacks. No keeping permit required. Verified against current code (June 2026).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Athens?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Athens (Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Athens?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Athens?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Athens.
Are roosters allowed in Athens?
No — roosters are prohibited in Athens.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Athens?
10 feet minimum. Covered enclosure in the rear yard; chickens always fenced; coop setback from property line varies by zone (10 ft RM/RS-5, 16 ft RS-8, 30 ft RS-15, 50 ft RS-25/RS-40) and 20 ft from neighboring residential structures; rodent-proof feed storage.
What law covers backyard chickens in Athens?
Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Athens-Clarke Code Sec. 9-15-25(A) (Urban agriculture) — read the official code
“Confirmed unchanged 2026-08-30 weekly rescue: no 2025-2026 amendment or commission action found; June 2026 primary verification of Sec. 9-15-25(A) stands.” source
“No more than six chickens are allowed per parcel.” source
“Roosters and any other crowing chickens are prohibited.” source
Last verified August 30, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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