Can I keep chickens in White Plains, NY?
Yes — White Plains allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (§ 5-2-1 to § 5-2-7 (Ch. 5-2, Art. I, The Keeping of Fowl), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated coop with at least 2 sq ft per bird; coop at least 20 ft from any main building not occupied by the owner; not within 10 ft of a side or rear lot line; not in a front yard; adequately fenced outdoor enclosure; kept sanitary. |
| Code section | § 5-2-1 to § 5-2-7 (Ch. 5-2, Art. I, The Keeping of Fowl) |
White Plains permits keeping fowl (chickens, ducks, turkeys) at single- and two-family dwellings, up to 6 birds by right with no permit. Roosters are banned. To exceed 6 birds (only on lots over 5,000 sq ft) or to keep fowl on a separate parcel from one's residence, a Building Commissioner permit with a $50 fee is required; on larger lots one additional bird is allowed per 500 sq ft over 5,000 sq ft. Coops must meet setback, sanitation and 2-sq-ft-per-bird standards.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in White Plains?
Yes — chickens are allowed in White Plains (§ 5-2-1 to § 5-2-7 (Ch. 5-2, Art. I, The Keeping of Fowl)).
How many chickens can I keep in White Plains?
Up to 6 hens. 6 hens on lots of 5,000+ sq ft, +1 per 500 sq ft above 5,000.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in White Plains?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in White Plains.
Are roosters allowed in White Plains?
No — roosters are prohibited in White Plains.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in White Plains?
20 feet minimum. Covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated coop with at least 2 sq ft per bird; coop at least 20 ft from any main building not occupied by the owner; not within 10 ft of a side or rear lot line; not in a front yard; adequately fenced outdoor enclosure; kept sanitary.
What law covers backyard chickens in White Plains?
§ 5-2-1 to § 5-2-7 (Ch. 5-2, Art. I, The Keeping of Fowl). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§ 5-2-1 to § 5-2-7 (Ch. 5-2, Art. I, The Keeping of Fowl) — read the official code
“Fowl shall be provided with a covered, predator-proof coop that is well ventilated and designed to be easily accessed for cleaning. The coop shall allow at least two square feet per bird. Fowl shall have access to an outdoor enclosure that is adequately fenced to contain the birds on the property and to prevent access from predators.” source
“No more than six (6) Fowl shall be kept at a single or two-family dwelling, except on lots over 5,000 square feet in accordance with Section 5-2-4.” source
“A fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00).” source
“A permit issued by the Building Commissioner is required when: (a) seeking to keep or maintain more than 6 Fowl on a lot over 5,000 square feet or more in size. An applicant can request an additional bird per 500 feet of lot area over 5,000 square feet; or (b) seeking to keep or maintain Fowl on a parcel separate and distinct from the applicant's residence.” 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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