Can I keep chickens in Decatur, GA?
Yes — Decatur allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 75 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Decatur Code Secs. 14-8 to 14-12, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 75 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Sanitary housing with solid floor approved by the county health officer; minimum 4 sq ft floor space per bird; enclosure must be a lot-width (minimum 75 ft on wide lots) from any neighboring inhabited house; chickens kept under fence. |
| Code section | Decatur Code Secs. 14-8 to 14-12 |
Decatur allows chickens and other fowl with no numeric cap, but the enclosure must sit a full lot-width (minimum 75 ft on wide lots) from any neighboring inhabited house, which practically limits keeping on small lots. Birds need 4 sq ft each and must be fenced; live slaughter is prohibited. Verified against current code (June 2026).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Decatur?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Decatur (Decatur Code Secs. 14-8 to 14-12).
How many chickens can I keep in Decatur?
Decatur sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Decatur?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Decatur.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Decatur?
75 feet minimum. Sanitary housing with solid floor approved by the county health officer; minimum 4 sq ft floor space per bird; enclosure must be a lot-width (minimum 75 ft on wide lots) from any neighboring inhabited house; chickens kept under fence.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Decatur?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Decatur's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Decatur?
Decatur Code Secs. 14-8 to 14-12. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Decatur Code Secs. 14-8 to 14-12 — read the official code
“shall not be nearer to any houses wherein human beings reside... than a distance equal to the width of the lot upon which the animals are kept, or a minimum distance of 75 feet should the lot be 75 feet or more in width.” source
“Live slaughter shall be prohibited.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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