Can I keep chickens in Windham, ME?
Yes, with conditions — Windham allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 12 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited. (Ch. 15, Art. II, §§ 15-15 through 15-21 (Domesticated Chickens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop rules | Henhouse requires a building permit for new construction. Minimum 4 sq ft of floor area per chicken inside henhouse. Minimum 10 sq ft per chicken in outdoor pen exclusive of henhouse. Fencing must confine chickens at all times. Henhouse must not be in front yard setback; must meet side and rear setback requirements of the zoning district. Allowed in F, FR, RL, and RM zoning districts only. |
| Code section | Ch. 15, Art. II, §§ 15-15 through 15-21 (Domesticated Chickens) |
Windham allows up to 12 hens per lot in Farm (F), Farm Residential (FR), Rural Low Density (RL), and Rural Medium Density (RM) zoning districts. Roosters are prohibited. A building permit is required for any new henhouse, with minimum space requirements of 4 sq ft per chicken indoors and 10 sq ft per chicken in the outdoor pen. Flocks of 13 or more are governed by Ch. 120 § 120-504 agricultural provisions.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Windham?
Yes, with conditions — Windham allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Ch. 15, Art. II, §§ 15-15 through 15-21 (Domesticated Chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Windham?
Up to 12 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Windham?
Yes — Windham requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Windham?
No — roosters are prohibited in Windham.
What law covers backyard chickens in Windham?
Ch. 15, Art. II, §§ 15-15 through 15-21 (Domesticated Chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 15, Art. II, §§ 15-15 through 15-21 (Domesticated Chickens) — read the official code
“The maximum number of chickens allowed is 12 per lot, regardless of how many dwelling units are on the lot.” source
“A building permit is required for the construction of a new henhouse. The minimum floor area per chicken is 4 square feet. The minimum area per chicken in the pen, exclusive of the henhouse, is 10 square feet.” source
“Only female chickens are allowed. There is no restriction on chicken species.” 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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