Can I keep chickens in Providence, RI?
Yes — Providence 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. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 4, Art. I, Sec. 4-37.3 (Animals and Fowl), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Covered, predator-resistant, well-ventilated; min 2 sq ft per hen; permeable surface; clean and sanitary; manure composted in enclosed bins; no coop on shared fence; hens confined 9 PM to 8 AM |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 4, Art. I, Sec. 4-37.3 (Animals and Fowl) |
Providence allows up to 6 hens (1 per 800 sq ft of total lot area) on any residential lot, with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited and all hens must have a covered coop at least 20 feet from any adjacent dwelling. The ordinance was enacted in 2010, replacing a blanket prohibition on fowl.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Providence?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Providence (Code of Ordinances Ch. 4, Art. I, Sec. 4-37.3 (Animals and Fowl)).
How many chickens can I keep in Providence?
Up to 6 hens. 1 hen per 800 sq ft of lot area, max 6.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Providence?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Providence.
Are roosters allowed in Providence?
No — roosters are prohibited in Providence.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Providence?
20 feet minimum. Covered, predator-resistant, well-ventilated; min 2 sq ft per hen; permeable surface; clean and sanitary; manure composted in enclosed bins; no coop on shared fence; hens confined 9 PM to 8 AM
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Providence?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Providence's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Providence?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 4, Art. I, Sec. 4-37.3 (Animals and Fowl). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 4, Art. I, Sec. 4-37.3 (Animals and Fowl) — read the official code
“Sec. 4-37.3. Maximum chicken hens allowed. The owner of any dwelling may keep or permit to be kept on the lot containing the dwelling, one (1) hen per eight hundred (800) square feet of total lot area, with a maximum of six (6) on any lot, provided that: (a) no person shall keep any rooster; (b) all chicken hens must be provided with both a hen house (coop) and a fenced outdoor enclosure... (v) the hen house must be located at least twenty (20) feet from any dwelling” source
“ANIMALS AND FOWL | Code of Ordinances | Providence, RI” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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