Can I keep chickens in Albany, NY?
Yes, with conditions — Albany allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (§ 115-32, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 200 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop in rear yard, not in front/side wall plane facing a street; >=25 ft from an adjoining occupied dwelling (reducible with neighbor's written consent); total coop area <=150 sq ft, <=7 ft tall (coops >80 sq ft need building permits); >=4 sq ft per hen; no outdoor slaughtering. Citywide cap of 80 licenses, one per parcel. |
| Code section | § 115-32 |
Albany permits up to six hens per dwelling under a $25 annual City Clerk license, with no roosters. The lot must have 200 sq ft (exclusive of buildings) for the first two hens plus 100 sq ft per additional hen up to six. Coops must be in the rear yard, at least 25 ft from an adjoining occupied dwelling, no larger than 150 sq ft, and no outdoor slaughtering is allowed. Only 80 licenses are issued citywide at any time.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Albany?
Yes, with conditions — Albany allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (§ 115-32).
How many chickens can I keep in Albany?
Up to 6 hens. 2 hens on lots of 200+ sq ft, +1 per 100 sq ft above 200, max 6. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Albany?
Yes — Albany requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Albany?
No — roosters are prohibited in Albany.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Albany?
25 feet minimum. Coop in rear yard, not in front/side wall plane facing a street; >=25 ft from an adjoining occupied dwelling (reducible with neighbor's written consent); total coop area <=150 sq ft, <=7 ft tall (coops >80 sq ft need building permits); >=4 sq ft per hen; no outdoor slaughtering. Citywide cap of 80 licenses, one per parcel.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Albany?
Yes — 200 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Albany?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Albany's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Albany?
§ 115-32. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§ 115-32 — read the official code
“The owner or primary occupant of any dwelling may be permitted to keep on the lot containing the dwelling a maximum of six hens, provided that:” source
“The property has 200 square feet of total lot area exclusive of buildings for the keeping of two hens, with an additional 100 square feet for every additional hen up to the maximum of six hens permitted;” source
“The application for such license must be accompanied by an application fee of $25...” source
“No person shall keep any rooster (male chicken);” 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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