Can I keep chickens in Manassas, VA?
No — Manassas does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Zoning Ch. 130, Art. VIII use table Sec. 130-241 (Agriculture permitted A-1 only); Animals Ch. 18 cross-ref Sec. 130-261, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Code section | Zoning Ch. 130, Art. VIII use table Sec. 130-241 (Agriculture permitted A-1 only); Animals Ch. 18 cross-ref Sec. 130-261 |
In Manassas, keeping chickens or fowl falls under the zoning 'Agriculture and Silviculture' use, which is permitted only in the A-1 agricultural district and is not permitted in any residential (R) district; uses not listed as permitted are prohibited. A 2021 proposal to allow up to four chickens on single-family residential lots of 10,000+ sq ft was tabled by City Council and not adopted, so chickens are not permitted in residential subdivisions.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Manassas?
No — chickens are not allowed in Manassas (Zoning Ch. 130, Art. VIII use table Sec. 130-241 (Agriculture permitted A-1 only); Animals Ch. 18 cross-ref Sec. 130-261).
What law covers backyard chickens in Manassas?
Zoning Ch. 130, Art. VIII use table Sec. 130-241 (Agriculture permitted A-1 only); Animals Ch. 18 cross-ref Sec. 130-261. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Ch. 130, Art. VIII use table Sec. 130-241 (Agriculture permitted A-1 only); Animals Ch. 18 cross-ref Sec. 130-261 — read the official code
“All uses ... that are not specifically permitted ('P') or permitted with approval of a special use permit ('S') are prohibited.” source
“Cross reference— ... A-1 agricultural district, § 130-261. ('Agriculture and Silviculture' is Permitted only in A-1 and not permitted in any residential R district per the zoning use table.)” 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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