Can I keep chickens in Newport News, VA?
Yes, with conditions — Newport News allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Newport News City Code Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-2, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | For the 6-hen tier: pens/coops in the rear yard only, at least 25 ft from adjoining property lines; no roosters; no commercial sale of eggs or meat. Large-lot tier requires 175 ft from residences and 250 ft from a church/school. |
| Code section | Newport News City Code Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-2 |
Newport News uses a two-tier rule. On a lot large enough to keep a coop 175 feet from any neighbor's residence and 250 feet from a school or church, chickens may be kept with no permit and no numeric limit. Otherwise, up to six hens (no roosters) may be kept with a $25 permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation, with coops in the rear yard at least 25 feet from adjoining property lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Newport News?
Yes, with conditions — Newport News allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Newport News City Code Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-2).
How many chickens can I keep in Newport News?
Up to 6 hens. If coop can be 175 ft from neighbor residences and 250 ft from schools/churches: no permit, no numeric limit. Otherwise up to 6 hens, no roosters, $25 permit, coop 25 ft from property lines, rear yard only.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Newport News?
Yes — Newport News requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Newport News?
No — roosters are prohibited in Newport News.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Newport News?
25 feet minimum. For the 6-hen tier: pens/coops in the rear yard only, at least 25 ft from adjoining property lines; no roosters; no commercial sale of eggs or meat. Large-lot tier requires 175 ft from residences and 250 ft from a church/school.
What law covers backyard chickens in Newport News?
Newport News City Code Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-2. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Newport News City Code Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-2 — read the official code
“keeping up to six (6) chickens shall be allowed under the following conditions: ... No roosters shall be allowed; ... All pens, coops or cages shall be located in the rear yard only; ... situated at least twenty-five (25) feet from adjoining property lines; ... a permit ... from the department of parks and recreation for a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain in the city any poultry or animal yard within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of any buildings used for residential purposes, or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any church or school building.” 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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