Can I keep chickens in Syracuse, NY?
Yes — Syracuse allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Zoning Ordinance Art. 3.4 (Accessory Animal Uses - Hens and Rabbits), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop/hutch required: predator-resistant, <=120 sq ft, >=4 sq ft per animal, <=6 ft tall, located in rear yard, >=5 ft from any side/rear lot line and >=25 ft from any adjacent dwelling. Hens may range in rear yard within a 4-6 ft fence but must be enclosed dusk to dawn. No slaughtering on site. |
| Code section | Zoning Ordinance Art. 3.4 (Accessory Animal Uses - Hens and Rabbits) |
Under the current Syracuse Zoning Ordinance, keeping hens is a permitted accessory use with no permit or fee required. A maximum of six hens and/or rabbits combined are allowed per property; roosters are prohibited. Hens must be kept in a predator-resistant coop (<=120 sq ft, <=6 ft tall) located in the rear yard, at least 5 ft from lot lines and 25 ft from an adjacent dwelling, with no on-site slaughtering.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Syracuse?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Syracuse (Zoning Ordinance Art. 3.4 (Accessory Animal Uses - Hens and Rabbits)).
How many chickens can I keep in Syracuse?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Syracuse?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Syracuse.
Are roosters allowed in Syracuse?
No — roosters are prohibited in Syracuse.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Syracuse?
25 feet minimum. Coop/hutch required: predator-resistant, <=120 sq ft, >=4 sq ft per animal, <=6 ft tall, located in rear yard, >=5 ft from any side/rear lot line and >=25 ft from any adjacent dwelling. Hens may range in rear yard within a 4-6 ft fence but must be enclosed dusk to dawn. No slaughtering on site.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Syracuse?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Syracuse's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Syracuse?
Zoning Ordinance Art. 3.4 (Accessory Animal Uses - Hens and Rabbits). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Ordinance Art. 3.4 (Accessory Animal Uses - Hens and Rabbits) — read the official code
“Shall not exceed 120 square feet in size and shall provide at least four square feet of space per animal... Shall not exceed six feet in height... Shall be located in the rear yard and shall be no closer than five feet from any side or rear property line and no closer than 25 feet from any adjacent dwelling.” source
“No more than a total of six of any combination of hens and/or rabbits are permitted per property.” source
“Roosters and other wild and/or dangerous animals are prohibited pursuant to Municipal Code Article 18, Section 16-62. Only the keeping of hens or female chickens is allowed.” source
“There shall be no slaughtering of hens or rabbits on site.” 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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