Can I keep chickens in Parkersburg, WV?
Yes, with conditions — Parkersburg allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. (Codified Ordinances Part Five, Art. 505, Sec. 505.11 (Certain animals undesirable and prohibited), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop rules | Chickens are prohibited as 'farm animals' unless a variance is granted by the Director of Code Enforcement; a non-refundable $25 fee applies to file for a variance. |
| Code section | Codified Ordinances Part Five, Art. 505, Sec. 505.11 (Certain animals undesirable and prohibited) |
Parkersburg prohibits keeping chickens (listed among banned 'farm animals') within the city. The Director of Code Enforcement may grant a discretionary variance; a non-refundable $25 fee applies to file. There is no by-right allowance and no codified hen count.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Parkersburg?
Yes, with conditions — Parkersburg allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Codified Ordinances Part Five, Art. 505, Sec. 505.11 (Certain animals undesirable and prohibited)).
How many chickens can I keep in Parkersburg?
It depends on your lot. Chickens prohibited by default; allowed only if a discretionary variance is granted by the Director of Code Enforcement ($25 filing fee). No numeric cap codified.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Parkersburg?
Yes — Parkersburg requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
What law covers backyard chickens in Parkersburg?
Codified Ordinances Part Five, Art. 505, Sec. 505.11 (Certain animals undesirable and prohibited). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Codified Ordinances Part Five, Art. 505, Sec. 505.11 (Certain animals undesirable and prohibited) — read the official code
“No farm animals shall be kept within the corporate limits of the City including but not limited to pigs and swine, goats, chickens, cows, horses, sheep, turkeys, donkeys and mules and domesticated wild animals, excluding domesticated cats and dogs.” source
“Any person or entity requesting a variance from the provisions of this sub-paragraph shall pay a non-reimbursable fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) upon filing for such variance.” 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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