Can I keep chickens in Virginia Beach, VA?
No — Virginia Beach does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (City Code Ch. 5 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 5-545; Sec. 5-543, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Code section | City Code Ch. 5 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 5-545; Sec. 5-543 |
Virginia Beach permits fowl, including chickens, only in areas zoned for agricultural use; keeping them in standard residential zones is prohibited. A proposed amendment to allow backyard hens in residential zones was put to public feedback but remains under review and has not been adopted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Virginia Beach?
No — chickens are not allowed in Virginia Beach (City Code Ch. 5 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 5-545; Sec. 5-543).
What law covers backyard chickens in Virginia Beach?
City Code Ch. 5 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 5-545; Sec. 5-543. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
City Code Ch. 5 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 5-545; Sec. 5-543 — read the official code
“Fowl may be kept only in those areas zoned for agricultural use. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any fowl to run at large on any street or any unenclosed lot or ground within the city.” source
“No person shall keep horses, cows, goats, sheep, swine or other livestock or other animals within the city except in areas designated for agricultural purposes.” 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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