Can I keep chickens in Hurricane, WV?
Yes, with conditions — Hurricane allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Art. 505, Secs. 505.23 & 505.26 (Keeping Farm Animals; Maintenance of Pens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry may not be kept within 100 ft of any structure owned by another used for human habitation, occupation or assembly, and may not run at large; pens must have sanitary drainage, stay dry, and be kept free of offensive odors so as not to be a nuisance. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Art. 505, Secs. 505.23 & 505.26 (Keeping Farm Animals; Maintenance of Pens) |
Hurricane does not ban poultry but regulates it by distance: no fowl may be kept within 100 ft of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation (Sec. 505.23), and fowl may not run at large or create a nuisance. There is no numeric hen cap, no permit, and roosters are not specifically prohibited. The 100-ft setback makes keeping infeasible on most small residential lots.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Hurricane?
Yes, with conditions — Hurricane allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances Art. 505, Secs. 505.23 & 505.26 (Keeping Farm Animals; Maintenance of Pens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Hurricane?
It depends on your lot. No numeric cap. Keeping allowed only if fowl are 100+ ft from any structure owned by another used for human habitation/occupation/assembly (Sec. 505.23) and not a nuisance. The 100-ft setback effectively bars keeping on typical small lots.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Hurricane?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Hurricane.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Hurricane?
100 feet minimum. Poultry may not be kept within 100 ft of any structure owned by another used for human habitation, occupation or assembly, and may not run at large; pens must have sanitary drainage, stay dry, and be kept free of offensive odors so as not to be a nuisance.
What law covers backyard chickens in Hurricane?
Code of Ordinances Art. 505, Secs. 505.23 & 505.26 (Keeping Farm Animals; Maintenance of Pens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Art. 505, Secs. 505.23 & 505.26 (Keeping Farm Animals; Maintenance of Pens) — read the official code
“No person shall keep or permit to be kept within the corporate limits any hog, goat, cow, chicken or other animal or fowl in a pen or otherwise confined in any lot, to the annoyance, detriment or inconvenience of any neighbor or the public.” source
“No person shall keep any kind of poultry, fowl or pigeon within 100 feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assembly” 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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