Can I keep chickens in Montpelier, VT?
Yes — Montpelier allows backyard chickens with no permit required. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 §8-5 (Poultry — Unlawful Except in Enclosure); §8-3 (Livestock Standards), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Under §8-5, it is unlawful to keep poultry in the City limits unless the poultry is confined in a properly fenced enclosure so that the poultry cannot escape. Under §8-3, no poultry may create waste runoff onto neighboring properties, persistent offensive odors, or rodent or pest infestations. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 §8-5 (Poultry — Unlawful Except in Enclosure); §8-3 (Livestock Standards) |
Montpelier allows chickens citywide with no hen cap and no permit required. The sole restriction under §8-5 is that poultry must be confined in a properly fenced enclosure at all times so they cannot escape. General livestock provisions (§8-3) also apply: no manure runoff, no persistent offensive odors, no rodent infestations. Source: §8-5 read directly from Municode in June 2026 (primary text).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Montpelier?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Montpelier (Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 §8-5 (Poultry — Unlawful Except in Enclosure); §8-3 (Livestock Standards)).
How many chickens can I keep in Montpelier?
Montpelier sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Montpelier?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Montpelier.
What law covers backyard chickens in Montpelier?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 §8-5 (Poultry — Unlawful Except in Enclosure); §8-3 (Livestock Standards). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 §8-5 (Poultry — Unlawful Except in Enclosure); §8-3 (Livestock Standards) — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep poultry in the City limits, unless the poultry is confined in a properly fenced enclosure in such a manner that the poultry cannot escape therefrom (§8-5 — read directly from Municode June 2026).” 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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