Can I keep chickens in Petersburg, VA?
Yes, with conditions — Petersburg allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 20 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 30 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 20 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 30 ft |
| Coop rules | Covered house/shelter required, kept dry and well-ventilated; cleaned at least weekly (Nov 1-May 1) and twice weekly (May 1-Nov 1); yard kept clean and odor-free; enclosures must keep fowl secure from dogs; clean water provided. |
| Code section | Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62 |
Petersburg allows keeping domestic fowl, including chickens, on residential property, capped at 20 fowl per premises except in agricultural-zoned areas. Fowl must be confined to the owner's premises and kept no closer than 30 feet to any habitable structure owned by another, with a covered, regularly cleaned shelter. No permit, rooster ban, or hen-only limitation appears in the code; the 30-foot setback effectively governs feasibility on small lots.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Petersburg?
Yes, with conditions — Petersburg allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62).
How many chickens can I keep in Petersburg?
Up to 20 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Petersburg?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Petersburg.
Are roosters allowed in Petersburg?
Yes, with conditions — see Petersburg's rules (Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Petersburg?
30 feet minimum. Covered house/shelter required, kept dry and well-ventilated; cleaned at least weekly (Nov 1-May 1) and twice weekly (May 1-Nov 1); yard kept clean and odor-free; enclosures must keep fowl secure from dogs; clean water provided.
What law covers backyard chickens in Petersburg?
Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Petersburg Code Ch. 18 (Animals), Art. III (Fowl), Secs. 18-61, 18-62 — read the official code
“The number of domestic fowl kept on any premises in the city shall not exceed 20, except in areas zoned agricultural.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep ... any kind of domestic fowl or pigeons within 30 feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assemblage.” 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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