Can I keep chickens in Norfolk, VA?
Yes — Norfolk allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Norfolk City Code Sec. 6.1-7, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Predator-proof coop, at least 6 sq ft per bird, in rear of property and not visible from a public right-of-way; chickens kept at least 15 ft from any property line and occupied building, 20 ft from city drainage easements, 50 ft from mean high water. No sale of eggs/meat from a residential property. |
| Code section | Norfolk City Code Sec. 6.1-7 |
Norfolk allows up to six hens (no rooster or capon) per lot under a permit issued by the Department of Public Health, on lots of at least 5,000 sq ft. The permit application fee is set administratively by the health director rather than fixed in the code. Coops must be predator-proof and kept at least 15 ft from property lines and occupied buildings.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Norfolk?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Norfolk (Norfolk City Code Sec. 6.1-7).
How many chickens can I keep in Norfolk?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Norfolk?
Yes — Norfolk requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Norfolk?
No — roosters are prohibited in Norfolk.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Norfolk?
15 feet minimum. Predator-proof coop, at least 6 sq ft per bird, in rear of property and not visible from a public right-of-way; chickens kept at least 15 ft from any property line and occupied building, 20 ft from city drainage easements, 50 ft from mean high water. No sale of eggs/meat from a residential property.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Norfolk?
Yes — 5,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Norfolk?
Norfolk City Code Sec. 6.1-7. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Norfolk City Code Sec. 6.1-7 — read the official code
“No more than six (6) hens and no rooster or capon shall be kept on any lot.” source
“No permit ... shall be issued when the property proposed ... is ... Less than five thousand (5,000) square feet in area.” source
“No chicken shall be kept within the limits of the city without a permit issued by the department of public health ... Nonrefundable application fee of an amount established by the director of the department of health.” source
“Chickens shall be kept at least fifteen (15) feet from any property line and any occupied building, at least twenty (20) feet from the nearest boundary of any city drainage easement.” 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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