Can I keep chickens in Charleston, WV?
Yes, with conditions — Charleston allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances ch. 10, art. I, Sec. 10-11 (Keeping fowl near inhabited building); hen count per City of Charleston 311 guidance, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Fowl may not be kept within 25 ft of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assembly (Sec. 10-11), and must not annoy or be a detriment to neighbors. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances ch. 10, art. I, Sec. 10-11 (Keeping fowl near inhabited building); hen count per City of Charleston 311 guidance |
Charleston permits residential hens. The City's official 311 information page states residents may keep up to 6 hens on residential properties depending on lot size. The Code of Ordinances (Sec. 10-11) separately requires fowl to be kept at least 25 feet from any neighbor's inhabited structure. The 6-hen figure comes from the City's official guidance rather than verbatim Chapter 10 text, and the exact lot-size relationship is not quantified.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Charleston?
Yes, with conditions — Charleston allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances ch. 10, art. I, Sec. 10-11 (Keeping fowl near inhabited building); hen count per City of Charleston 311 guidance).
How many chickens can I keep in Charleston?
Up to 6 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Charleston?
25 feet minimum. Fowl may not be kept within 25 ft of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assembly (Sec. 10-11), and must not annoy or be a detriment to neighbors.
What law covers backyard chickens in Charleston?
Code of Ordinances ch. 10, art. I, Sec. 10-11 (Keeping fowl near inhabited building); hen count per City of Charleston 311 guidance. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances ch. 10, art. I, Sec. 10-11 (Keeping fowl near inhabited building); hen count per City of Charleston 311 guidance — read the official code
“The City of Charleston allows residents to keep up to 6 hens on residential properties and up to 6 colonies of bees, depending on the size of the property.” source
“No person shall keep any kind of poultry, fowl or pigeon within 25 feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assembly, whether the structure is in the same or adjacent block or square.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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