Can I keep chickens in South Burlington, VT?
Yes — South Burlington allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 Backyard Chicken Ordinance §§6-100 to 6-115 (adopted 2010), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Chickens must be kept in an enclosure, chicken tractor, or fenced area at all times. Enclosure must be clean, dry, odor-free, and rodent-impermeable. Rear yard placement required. For condominiums without individually-owned yards, the limit is 6 per building. Annual permit required. Violations carry a $25/day fine. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 Backyard Chicken Ordinance §§6-100 to 6-115 (adopted 2010) |
South Burlington allows up to 6 hens (female only, no roosters) per lot with an annual permit. Coops must be in the rear yard at least 20 feet from property lines and maintained clean and odor-free. For condos without individual yards, cap is 6 hens per building. Ordinance (Ch. 6 §§6-100 to 6-115) adopted 2010. Violations carry a $25/day fine. Primary PDF (southburlingtonvt.gov) returned 404 as of June 2026; data from converging secondary sources via Municode.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in South Burlington?
Yes — chickens are allowed in South Burlington (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 Backyard Chicken Ordinance §§6-100 to 6-115 (adopted 2010)).
How many chickens can I keep in South Burlington?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in South Burlington?
Yes — South Burlington requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in South Burlington?
No — roosters are prohibited in South Burlington.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in South Burlington?
20 feet minimum. Chickens must be kept in an enclosure, chicken tractor, or fenced area at all times. Enclosure must be clean, dry, odor-free, and rodent-impermeable. Rear yard placement required. For condominiums without individually-owned yards, the limit is 6 per building. Annual permit required. Violations carry a $25/day fine.
What law covers backyard chickens in South Burlington?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 Backyard Chicken Ordinance §§6-100 to 6-115 (adopted 2010). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 Backyard Chicken Ordinance §§6-100 to 6-115 (adopted 2010) — read the official code
“Up to 6 female chickens per lot with annual permit; roosters prohibited; rear yard only; 20-foot setback from property lines; $25/day fine for violations (Ch. 6 §§6-100 to 6-115, adopted 2010).” source
“[Primary PDF returned 404 as of June 2026 — document moved or removed from city server.]” 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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