Can I keep chickens in St. Albans City, VT?
Yes — St. Albans City allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (St. Albans City Animal Control Ordinance (rooster ban enacted unanimously, fall 2025), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | No specific hen limit. Roosters prohibited. Animals running at large prohibited. 10ft setback from property lines. Violations: daily fines, possible court-ordered removal of chickens and structures. |
| Code section | St. Albans City Animal Control Ordinance (rooster ban enacted unanimously, fall 2025) |
St. Albans City allows chickens with no specified hen limit. Roosters banned unanimously by City Council (fall 2025) after noise complaints; violations face daily fines and possible court-ordered removal. No specific permit requirement documented. Source: VTDigger (April 2026), Mayor Tim Smith and Planning Director Chip Sawyer quoted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in St. Albans City?
Yes — chickens are allowed in St. Albans City (St. Albans City Animal Control Ordinance (rooster ban enacted unanimously, fall 2025)).
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in St. Albans City?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in St. Albans City.
Are roosters allowed in St. Albans City?
No — roosters are prohibited in St. Albans City.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in St. Albans City?
10 feet minimum. No specific hen limit. Roosters prohibited. Animals running at large prohibited. 10ft setback from property lines. Violations: daily fines, possible court-ordered removal of chickens and structures.
What law covers backyard chickens in St. Albans City?
St. Albans City Animal Control Ordinance (rooster ban enacted unanimously, fall 2025). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
St. Albans City Animal Control Ordinance (rooster ban enacted unanimously, fall 2025) — read the official code
“Last fall, the St. Albans City Council unanimously voted to ban roosters, with the threat of daily fines and possible court-ordered removal if a rooster is not moved.” source
“A series of noise complaints regarding roosters crowing around the city had pushed the government to look at restrictions, St. Albans Mayor Tim Smith said.” 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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