Can I keep chickens in Richmond, VA?
Yes — Richmond 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. (Richmond City Code Sec. 4-124 (Ch. 4 Animals), verified October 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($60) |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Coop rules | Provide 3 sq ft per chicken; pen/coop in the rear yard (not front or street-side); four walls and a roof, fully covered/fenced with slats no more than 2 inches apart; birds kept within the fenced coop area at all times; feed in rodent-proof containers. |
| Code section | Richmond City Code Sec. 4-124 (Ch. 4 Animals) |
Richmond permits up to six female chickens (roosters and English Gamecocks prohibited) in all residential districts under an annual permit governed by City Code Section 4-124. The non-refundable permit fee is $60, valid one year, requiring a background check, site plan, and inspection. Coops must sit in the rear yard at least 15 feet from any adjacent dwelling and provide 3 square feet per bird.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Richmond?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Richmond (Richmond City Code Sec. 4-124 (Ch. 4 Animals)).
How many chickens can I keep in Richmond?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Richmond?
Yes — Richmond requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $60).
Are roosters allowed in Richmond?
No — roosters are prohibited in Richmond.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Richmond?
15 feet minimum. Provide 3 sq ft per chicken; pen/coop in the rear yard (not front or street-side); four walls and a roof, fully covered/fenced with slats no more than 2 inches apart; birds kept within the fenced coop area at all times; feed in rodent-proof containers.
What law covers backyard chickens in Richmond?
Richmond City Code Sec. 4-124 (Ch. 4 Animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Richmond City Code Sec. 4-124 (Ch. 4 Animals) — read the official code
“A maximum of 6 female chickens will be allowed per property.” source
“...provided that the number of such female chickens does not exceed a total of six” source
“A permit is required to keep chickens. The non-refundable application fee is $60.00. The permit is valid for one (1) year.” source
“Any initial application shall be accompanied by the payment of a permit fee of $60.00.” source
Last verified October 4, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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