Backyard Chickens in Brookhaven, Georgia

Can you keep chickens in Brookhaven?

Backyard chickens are welcome in Brookhaven, Georgia! Since 2017, the city has had its own dedicated ordinance spelling out lot-size, spacing, and flock-size rules for keeping hens — a big step up from the days when residents had to follow DeKalb County's fowl rules by default.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of Brookhaven adopted an ordinance (effective August 1, 2017) that specifically permits residents to keep backyard chickens and other domestic fowl, ending the city's prior reliance on DeKalb County's rules. Chickens are allowed only as pets or for egg production — not for slaughter — and roosters are prohibited city-wide.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 25
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 7.5 ft

Peggy knows Brookhaven

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Minimum lot size to keep chickens: 6,000 square feet.
Maximum of 1 chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area, with an overall cap of 25 birds (over four months old) per lot.
Coops/pens must be set back at least 7.5 feet (7 ft 6 in) from any property line.
Minimum fenced yard area of 25 square feet per bird, plus at least 4 square feet of floor/ground area per bird inside the coop.
Any structure housing chickens must be located in the side or back yard if a principal building exists on the lot.
Chickens must be kept securely in an enclosed pen or yard at all times — no free-ranging off the property.
No roosters are permitted.
Chickens may only be kept as pets or for egg production; on-site slaughter is prohibited.
Keeping must not create a nuisance under the city's noise and property-maintenance codes.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Brookhaven

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 8a; humid subtropical climate

Brookhaven sits in the Atlanta metro area with hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters. Coops should prioritize ventilation and shade to combat summer heat and humidity, while predator-proofing matters year-round given the wooded, suburban terrain typical of DeKalb County.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSnake

Brookhaven's mix of mature tree canopy, creeks, and suburban yards supports healthy populations of raccoons, red-tailed hawks, foxes, opossums, and rat snakes, all of which readily target unsecured coops or free-ranging flocks. Since the ordinance already requires chickens to be kept in a secure enclosed pen at all times, a well-built, predator-proof run with hardware cloth (not chicken wire) and a covered top is essential.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Easter Egger

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

Questions people ask about Brookhaven

▸How many chickens can I keep in Brookhaven?

Up to 25 chickens over four months old per lot, but no more than one chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area — so the actual number allowed depends on your property size.

▸Are roosters allowed in Brookhaven?

No. Brookhaven's ordinance does not allow roosters within city limits.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Brookhaven?

The ordinance sets out physical requirements (lot size, setbacks, enclosure sizes) rather than a permit-and-fee process, so no chicken-specific permit is described in the city's published rules.

▸How far must a coop be from my property line?

Coops and pens must be located at least 7.5 feet (7 feet 6 inches) from any property line.

▸Can I keep chickens for meat or slaughter them at home?

No. Under the ordinance, chickens may only be kept as pets or for egg production; on-site slaughter is not permitted.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Brookhaven or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 24, 2026.