Backyard Chickens in Chesapeake, Virginia

Can you keep chickens in Chesapeake?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in Chesapeake, Virginia? The good news is the city allows it — up to six female chickens per single-family residential lot — but there are specific rules on coop placement, permits, and roosters you'll want to nail down before your first chick arrives.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Under the Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Section 14-101.C.2.f, backyard hens are permitted as an accessory use in Chesapeake's single-family residential zoning districts. The City's own code summary states: "With the exception of lots zoned RE-1, Residential Estate District, which shall be subject to the livestock restrictions put forth in Chesapeake Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Section 6-2101, six (6) or fewer female chickens may be kept as an accessory use in all single-family residential zoning districts." Roosters are not part of this allowance since the ordinance only authorizes female chickens, and secondary poultry-law trackers confirm Chesapeake bans roosters outright. Slaughtering chickens on residentially-zoned property is expressly prohibited by the ordinance.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $45
Setback from property line: Not specified

Peggy knows Chesapeake

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per CZO Section 14-101.C.2.f, as summarized on the City's official page: chickens "shall be housed in a fully enclosed accessory structure that meets the requirements of subsections 14-102.B.1-6 of the CZO," and "the accessory structure shall be located in the rear yard." A zoning permit is required for the accessory structure itself (the coop), and the ordinance states plainly that "nothing herein shall be construed to permit the slaughtering of chickens on property zoned for residential use."

Practical notes from residents who have gone through the permitting process: an online permit application with a site plan is required, and one Chesapeake keeper reported the zoning office told them there is no fixed numeric setback specifically for hen coops beyond the rear-yard placement requirement — though other secondary sources cite informal figures of roughly 3-5 feet from the property line depending on lot width, so it's wise to confirm the exact figure with Development & Permits before building. RE-1 (Residential Estate) zoned lots are NOT subject to the 6-hen rule; instead they follow a separate livestock animal-unit table under CZO Section 6-2101 based on acreage, while A-1 Agricultural district lots have no numeric limit on livestock at all.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Chesapeake

🌡️ Climate

Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) / USDA Hardiness Zone 8a

Chesapeake sits in coastal Hampton Roads, Virginia, with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and high humidity year-round. Flock owners should prioritize good coop ventilation and shade to manage summer heat and humidity, while winters rarely require heavy cold-weather provisions.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSnake

Chesapeake's mix of suburban neighborhoods, wooded lots, and wetlands means backyard flocks commonly face raccoons and opossums (skilled climbers and diggers that raid coops at night), red-tailed hawks and other raptors (a daytime threat to free-ranging birds), foxes, and rat snakes (which target eggs and chicks). A fully enclosed, predator-proof coop — as the city's ordinance already requires — is the best defense.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

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

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

Questions people ask about Chesapeake

▸How many chickens can I keep in Chesapeake, VA?

Up to six (6) or fewer female chickens are allowed as an accessory use in single-family residential zoning districts, per CZO Section 14-101.C.2.f. RE-1 and A-1 zoned lots follow different, acreage-based livestock rules.

▸Are roosters allowed in Chesapeake?

No. The ordinance only authorizes keeping female chickens, and roosters are considered prohibited in Chesapeake's residential zones, consistent with most other Hampton Roads cities.

▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Chesapeake?

Yes. The City's ordinance summary states a permit is required for the accessory structure (coop) that houses the chickens, and residents have reported paying roughly $45 plus a small processing fee when applying online with a site plan.

▸Where does my chicken coop need to be located on my property?

The fully enclosed coop must be located in the rear yard and must meet the general accessory-structure standards in CZO Section 14-102.B.1-6.

▸Can I slaughter chickens at my Chesapeake home?

No. The ordinance explicitly states that nothing in it permits the slaughtering of chickens on property zoned for residential use.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Chesapeake or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 6, 2026.