Keeping Chickens in Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington

We’ve compiled a list of major cities and their chicken keeping laws in Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Laws are always subject to change, so be sure to visit your city’s website or zoning office to obtain the most up to date information. And, even if you don’t live within city limits, you may be subject to county laws. If you don’t see your city or county of residence listed, contact your appropriate office to verify if there are laws that apply to keeping chickens.

Utah

Utah allows chickens in all of the cities listed. Flock size is largely dependent on the amount of land homeowners have, but some cities have limits per household or lot rather than the size.

• Layton - minimum lot size of 8,000sqft; maximum flock numbers depend on total lot size; no roosters; permit required
• Ogden - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Orem - minimum lot size of 5,000; up to 12 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit may be required
• Provo - minimum lot size of 6,000sqft; up to 6 hens depending on lot size; permit required
• Salt Lake City - up to 15 chickens; permit required
• Sandy - up to 10 hens; no roosters; permit required
• South Jordan - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
• St. George - flock size varies by zone; no roosters; permit may be required
• West Jordan - up to 5 hens and 5 chicks; no roosters; permit required
• West Valley City - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit may be required

Omlet’s supersized Eglu Pro chicken coop is ideal for larger flocks!

Vermont

Vermont is another chicken-friendly state. Most cities allow for generous flock sizes, but the majority forbid roosters and may require chicken-keepers to obtain a permit to raise a flock in the city.

• Barre - up to 15 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
• Brattleboro - no official limit; roosters aren’t specified; city approval required to obtain chickens
• Burlington - can keep as many hens as their coop and run allow; no roosters; permit required
• Essex - up to 6 hens; no roosters; property inspection and permit required
• Middlebury - no official limit; roosters aren’t specified; permit may be required
• Rutland - no official limit; no roosters due to noise ordinance; permit may be required
• Shelburne - no official limit; no roosters due to noise ordinance; permit may be required
• South Burlington - up to 6 hens on residential lots, and up to 15 hens on specially zoned lots; no roosters; permit required

Virginia

Virginia is widely accepting of backyard flocks, and most cities allow for generous flock sizes. Some cities appear to allow roosters, but be sure to check with officials before keeping them in your flock.

• Alexandria - no official limit on hens; roosters are likely prohibited due to noise ordinance; permit may be required
• Chesapeake - up to 6 hens in all zones except RE-1; no roosters; permit may be required
• Hampton - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Newport News - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Norfolk - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Richmond - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Roanoke - up to 40 chickens depending on lot size; a permit may be required
• Virginia Beach - up to 6 chickens; permit required

The Eglu Cube chicken coop with customizable run is perfect for any backyard.

Washington

Many cities in Washington state allow chickens, but keeping roosters is not expressly mentioned in many of their regulations. Always check with your city’s office if you intend to keep roosters. Permit requirements aren’t clear for each city, so be sure to ask if a permit is required for your property address.

• Bellevue - up to 6 hens; roosters aren’t specifically mentioned; permit may be required
• Kent - minimum lot size of 5,000sqft; up to 3 hens for lots this size, and 1 additional for each 1,000sqft over the requirement; roosters are likely prohibited due to noise ordinance; permit may be required
• Seattle - up to 8 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Spokane - 1 hen per 1,000sqft of lot space; no roosters; permit may be required
• Tacoma - flock size is dependent on lot space; no roosters; permit may be required
• Vancouver - no official limits; no roosters; permit may be required

Omlet and your flock

With sanitary chicken coops in alignment with state recommendations, we’ve got the setups you need to have a thriving backyard flock in compliance with your city. Our mobile chicken coops and walk in chicken runs make it easy to create your hen’s home within the parameters set forth in your area.