Can I keep chickens in Mount Vernon, NY?
No — Mount Vernon does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Code Ch. 267 (Zoning), Art. V Districts; Animal Control Ch. 116, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Code section | Code Ch. 267 (Zoning), Art. V Districts; Animal Control Ch. 116 |
Mount Vernon zoning (Ch. 267, Art. V Districts) lists permitted principal and accessory uses for each residential district; a full text scan found no keeping-of-poultry use in any district, and the city's zoning permits only listed uses. The animal code (Ch. 116) covers only dogs, wild animals and snakes. A reported 2024 amendment concerned short-term rentals, not livestock. Keeping chickens is therefore not an allowed accessory use.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Mount Vernon?
No — chickens are not allowed in Mount Vernon (Code Ch. 267 (Zoning), Art. V Districts; Animal Control Ch. 116).
Are roosters allowed in Mount Vernon?
No — roosters are prohibited in Mount Vernon.
What law covers backyard chickens in Mount Vernon?
Code Ch. 267 (Zoning), Art. V Districts; Animal Control Ch. 116. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code Ch. 267 (Zoning), Art. V Districts; Animal Control Ch. 116 — read the official code
“Full-text scan of Article V (Districts) returned zero matches for chicken/fowl/poultry/hen/livestock/rooster/farm animal across all district permitted-use schedules.” source
“District R1-7 One-Family Residence ... [Amended 9-25-2024 by L.L. No. 5-2024] ... Short-term rentals (the 2024 amendment is short-term rentals, not livestock).” 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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