Can I keep chickens in Fredericksburg, VA?
Yes, with conditions — Fredericksburg allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Fredericksburg City Code Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. IX (Urban Agriculture), Sec. 14-231, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Clean, covered, well-ventilated, predator-secure enclosure; chickens kept in covered enclosure or within a fenced area at all times; enclosure at least 25 ft from an occupied dwelling, 20 ft from a side yard line, 5 ft from a rear lot line. |
| Code section | Fredericksburg City Code Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. IX (Urban Agriculture), Sec. 14-231 |
Fredericksburg allows up to four chickens on an occupied, principally residential lot for non-commercial household egg production only. Roosters are prohibited, and selling eggs and slaughtering chickens are prohibited. The enclosure must be predator-secure and set back at least 25 feet from an occupied dwelling, 20 feet from a side yard line, and 5 feet from a rear lot line; no permit is specified in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fredericksburg?
Yes, with conditions — Fredericksburg allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Fredericksburg City Code Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. IX (Urban Agriculture), Sec. 14-231).
How many chickens can I keep in Fredericksburg?
Up to 4 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Fredericksburg?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Fredericksburg.
Are roosters allowed in Fredericksburg?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fredericksburg.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Fredericksburg?
25 feet minimum. Clean, covered, well-ventilated, predator-secure enclosure; chickens kept in covered enclosure or within a fenced area at all times; enclosure at least 25 ft from an occupied dwelling, 20 ft from a side yard line, 5 ft from a rear lot line.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Fredericksburg?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Fredericksburg's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fredericksburg?
Fredericksburg City Code Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. IX (Urban Agriculture), Sec. 14-231. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Fredericksburg City Code Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. IX (Urban Agriculture), Sec. 14-231 — read the official code
“Keeping of up to four chickens on an occupied principally residential lot shall be allowed, provided that:” source
“No person shall keep any rooster.” source
“No enclosure shall be located closer than 25 feet to an occupied residential dwelling, 20 feet to a side yard line and five feet to a rear lot line.” source
“The chickens shall be used only for non-commercial household egg production. Selling eggs and slaughtering chickens shall be prohibited.” 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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