Can I keep chickens in Essex Junction, VT?
Yes — Essex Junction allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Village of Essex Junction Municipal Code Ch. 17 §§1701–1705, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($35) |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Coop rules | Maximum 4 hens, female only. Annual permit required ($35 initial, $10 renewal). Enclosures limited to 50 sq ft and must be in rear yard only. Setback is the greater of district setbacks or 10 ft side / 15 ft rear (§1705(d)). Slaughter not permitted in public view. Non-commercial only (§1704). |
| Code section | Village of Essex Junction Municipal Code Ch. 17 §§1701–1705 |
Essex Junction allows up to 4 hens (female only, roosters prohibited) per lot with an annual permit ($35 initial, $10 renewal per §1701). Enclosures must not exceed 50 sq ft and must be in the rear yard, set back at least 15 ft from the rear property line or 10 ft from side lines (whichever is greater relative to district setbacks) per §1705(d). Non-commercial use only; slaughter not permitted in public view (§1704). Source: Ch. 17 §§1701–1705 extracted from Essex Junction municipal code PDF (primary text, high confidence).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Essex Junction?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Essex Junction (Village of Essex Junction Municipal Code Ch. 17 §§1701–1705).
How many chickens can I keep in Essex Junction?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Essex Junction?
Yes — Essex Junction requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $35).
Are roosters allowed in Essex Junction?
No — roosters are prohibited in Essex Junction.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Essex Junction?
15 feet minimum. Maximum 4 hens, female only. Annual permit required ($35 initial, $10 renewal). Enclosures limited to 50 sq ft and must be in rear yard only. Setback is the greater of district setbacks or 10 ft side / 15 ft rear (§1705(d)). Slaughter not permitted in public view. Non-commercial only (§1704).
What law covers backyard chickens in Essex Junction?
Village of Essex Junction Municipal Code Ch. 17 §§1701–1705. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Village of Essex Junction Municipal Code Ch. 17 §§1701–1705 — read the official code
“Maximum 4 hens, female only. Annual permit $35 initial / $10 renewal (§1701). Enclosures ≤50 sq ft, rear yard only. Setback = greater of district setbacks or 10 ft side / 15 ft rear (§1705(d)). Non-commercial; slaughter not in public view (§1704). Primary text extracted from Ch. 17 PDF.” 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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