Can I keep chickens in St. Thomas, VI?
No — St. Thomas does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Virgin Islands Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Subchapter I, § 228 (Table of Permitted Uses), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Code section | Virgin Islands Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Subchapter I, § 228 (Table of Permitted Uses) |
The same USVI territorial zoning code (Title 29, § 228) applies to St. Thomas. Livestock and poultry keeping is restricted to A-1 and A-2 agricultural zones only; residential zones do not permit it. DPNR has historically issued Notices of Violation for residential chicken keeping on St. Thomas, describing the situation as having reached an epidemic scale.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in St. Thomas?
No — chickens are not allowed in St. Thomas (Virgin Islands Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Subchapter I, § 228 (Table of Permitted Uses)).
What law covers backyard chickens in St. Thomas?
Virgin Islands Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Subchapter I, § 228 (Table of Permitted Uses). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Virgin Islands Code, Title 29, Chapter 3, Subchapter I, § 228 (Table of Permitted Uses) — read the official code
“Land, water and buildings may be used only for a use set forth in the TABLE OF PERMITTED USES and only within those districts specified in said Table and only under the circumstances indicated in said Table” source
“livestock and fowl are allowed to be kept on properties zoned for Agriculture only” source
“The situation with people keeping chickens and roosters illegally in residentially zoned areas and all the free roaming chickens and roosters that are infesting our once quiet and peaceful neighborhoods has reached epic proportions” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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