Can I keep chickens in Moundsville, WV?
Yes, with conditions — Moundsville allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Fowl kept in a coop within a fully enclosed rear or side yard, at least 25 ft from any dwelling except the property's primary dwelling; built to the WV State Building Code; not in front yards. Roosters banned. |
| Code section | Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture) |
Moundsville permits keeping hens as an accessory use, capped at 6 on lots under 1 acre and 12 on lots over 1 acre, with a required permit from the City Clerk after a Zoning Officer inspection (Sec. 1362.33). Roosters are banned and coops must sit at least 25 ft from neighboring dwellings. Slaughtering up to 12 fowl per year is allowed.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Moundsville?
Yes, with conditions — Moundsville allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Moundsville?
Up to 6 hens. Tiered by lot size: 6 up to 43,560 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Moundsville?
Yes — Moundsville requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Moundsville?
No — roosters are prohibited in Moundsville.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Moundsville?
25 feet minimum. Fowl kept in a coop within a fully enclosed rear or side yard, at least 25 ft from any dwelling except the property's primary dwelling; built to the WV State Building Code; not in front yards. Roosters banned.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Moundsville?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture).
What law covers backyard chickens in Moundsville?
Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Codified Ordinances Sec. 1362.33 (Urban Agriculture) — read the official code
“The keeping of fowl or rabbits is permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling, provided that the number of fowl or rabbits on property less than one (1) acre shall not exceed six (6) and the number of fowl or rabbits kept on property greater than (1) acre shall not exceed (12) twelve” source
“Roosters shall not be kept within the City.” source
“The building, coop, or enclosure in which the fowl or rabbits are kept must be at least twenty-five (25) feet from any dwelling, except the primary dwelling situated on the property.” source
“Slaughtering and processing more than twelve (12) fowl or rabbits per year is prohibited within the City.” 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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