Can I keep chickens in Scarborough, ME?
Yes, with conditions — Scarborough allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Ch. 405 Zoning Ordinance, Section IX.P (Performance Standards – Accessory Agricultural Activities) — adopted 05/05/2010, amended 10/18/2023, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Coop rules | Henhouse enclosed on all sides with roof and lockable doors; constructed from substantial materials visually compatible with property; set back at least 15 ft from any property line or minimum required district setback (whichever is greater); chickens on lots under 40,000 sqft must be kept in enclosure at all times; henhouse and enclosure must be clean, dry, odor-free; manure in fully enclosed airtight containers or composted. |
| Code section | Ch. 405 Zoning Ordinance, Section IX.P (Performance Standards – Accessory Agricultural Activities) — adopted 05/05/2010, amended 10/18/2023 |
Scarborough allows chickens as an accessory agricultural activity with no permit required. Hen counts are tiered by lot size: up to 5 hens on lots under 10,000 sqft, up to 10 on lots 10,000–39,999 sqft, and unlimited on lots 40,000 sqft or more. Roosters are banned except on RF-zone lots of at least 80,000 sqft. The henhouse must be set back at least 15 ft from property lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Scarborough?
Yes, with conditions — Scarborough allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Ch. 405 Zoning Ordinance, Section IX.P (Performance Standards – Accessory Agricultural Activities) — adopted 05/05/2010, amended 10/18/2023).
How many chickens can I keep in Scarborough?
It depends on your lot. 5 hens on lots under 10,000 sqft; 10 hens on lots 10,000–39,999 sqft; unlimited chickens on lots 40,000 sqft or more (Section IX.P); roosters banned except RF zone lots 80,000+ sqft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Scarborough?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Scarborough.
Are roosters allowed in Scarborough?
No — roosters are prohibited in Scarborough.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Scarborough?
15 feet minimum. Henhouse enclosed on all sides with roof and lockable doors; constructed from substantial materials visually compatible with property; set back at least 15 ft from any property line or minimum required district setback (whichever is greater); chickens on lots under 40,000 sqft must be kept in enclosure at all times; henhouse and enclosure must be clean, dry, odor-free; manure in fully enclosed airtight containers or composted.
What law covers backyard chickens in Scarborough?
Ch. 405 Zoning Ordinance, Section IX.P (Performance Standards – Accessory Agricultural Activities) — adopted 05/05/2010, amended 10/18/2023. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 405 Zoning Ordinance, Section IX.P (Performance Standards – Accessory Agricultural Activities) — adopted 05/05/2010, amended 10/18/2023 — read the official code
“1. Chickens may be kept on a lot in accordance with the following standards: a. Up to five (5) chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet. b. Up to ten (10) chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or more but less than forty thousand (40,000) square feet. c. Any number of chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more. d. All chickens must be female unless on lots in the RF with a lot area of at least eighty thousand (80,000) square feet. g. The hen house must be setback from any property line at least fifteen feet or the minimum required setback for the district in which it is located, whichever is greater.” 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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