Backyard Chickens in Albany, New York

Can you keep chickens in Albany?

Thinking about raising hens in Albany, New York? The Capital City allows up to six hens per household under a special licensed pilot program, but roosters and other farm fowl remain off-limits. Here's exactly what Albany's municipal code requires before you build a coop or bring home chicks.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, keeping hens is legal in the City of Albany, but only under a licensed pilot program. Albany's general animal code makes it unlawful for any person, except as provided, to keep or maintain any farm animal or fowl within the City of Albany, with farm animal or fowl defined to include chickens, roosters, ducks, and geese. However, §115-32 carves out an exception: the owner or primary occupant of any dwelling may be permitted to keep on the lot containing the dwelling a maximum of six hens, subject to lot-size, licensing, and coop requirements. Roosters are explicitly banned under §115-32(B). A hen-keeping license from the City Clerk is required, and citywide licenses are capped at 80 active at any time.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $25
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Albany

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under Albany Municipal Code §115-32, hen-keeping is subject to detailed physical requirements:

Lot area: The property must have 200 square feet of total lot area, exclusive of buildings, for two hens, plus an additional 100 square feet for each additional hen up to the six-hen maximum (§115-32A).
Enclosure: Hens must be kept in a clean, covered, well-ventilated, predator-secure enclosure at all times, either in the coop or a fenced area (§115-32C, D).
Setback: No enclosure may be located closer than 25 feet to an occupied residential dwelling on an adjoining lot, unless the adjoining owner gives written permission for a reduced setback (§115-32E).
Size limits: Total coop/enclosure area is capped at 150 square feet for up to six hens, and coops may not exceed 7 feet in height; coops over 80 square feet require additional Buildings Department permits (§115-32F).
Space per hen: Coops must provide a minimum of 4 square feet per hen, and any run must provide a minimum of 8 square feet (§115-32G).
Placement: No coop or enclosure may be located in front of the front wall plane of the building or a street-facing side wall plane (§115-32H).
Feeding/sanitation: Hens must be fed from a trough or container (no scattering feed), feed must be stored in a sealed ratproof container, and there is no outdoor slaughtering of hens (§115-32I, K).
Noise: Hens are subject to the city's general noise nuisance provisions (Chapter 255, Article V) (§115-32L).
Licensing cap: Only one license may be issued per parcel, and no more than 80 licenses may be active citywide at one time (§115-33C).
Enforcement: Violations must be corrected within 48 hours or fines of $150 (first offense) and $300 (second offense) apply; a third offense results in permit revocation and seizure of the hens (§115-34).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Albany

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 5b/6a

Albany sits at the boundary of USDA zones 5b and 6a, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Chicken keepers should plan for winterized, insulated coops with supplemental heat sources for water to prevent freezing, and ensure good ventilation to manage summer humidity.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSkunk

Urban and suburban Albany yards commonly see raccoons, hawks, foxes, opossums, and skunks, all of which can threaten backyard flocks, especially at dawn/dusk or overnight. A secure, fully covered, predator-proof coop and run — as required under the city's own coop specifications — is essential.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Orpington, Australorp

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Albany

▸How many hens can I keep in Albany, NY?

Up to six hens per dwelling lot, with the exact number tied to available lot area (200 sq ft for the first two hens, plus 100 sq ft per additional hen).

▸Are roosters allowed in Albany?

No. Albany's ordinance explicitly states that no person shall keep any rooster (male chicken).

▸Do I need a permit to keep hens in Albany?

Yes. You must obtain an annual hen-keeping license from the Albany City Clerk's office, which costs $25 and requires a site plan, coop description, and property owner consent if you're not the owner.

▸How far must my coop be from my neighbor's house?

Coops must be at least 25 feet from an occupied residential dwelling on an adjoining lot, unless the neighboring owner provides written permission to reduce that distance.

▸Is there a limit on how many hen licenses Albany will issue?

Yes. No more than one license may be issued per parcel, and the city caps active licenses citywide at 80 at any given time, so availability can be limited.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Albany or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 11, 2026.