Backyard Chickens in Easley, South Carolina

Can you keep chickens in Easley?

Thinking about backyard hens in Easley, South Carolina? Hold off on ordering that coop kit — under the city's current Code of Ordinances, chickens are classified as "farm animals" and are banned on ordinary residential property inside city limits unless the parcel itself carries a Pickens County farm-property tax classification. Local residents have been pushing city council to reconsider, and a narrow nonprofit-only hen pilot program was under debate in late 2025, but as of now, typical homeowners cannot legally keep hens or roosters in Easley.

Not straightforward

No. Under the City of Easley's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90 (Animals), keeping chickens inside the city limits is generally prohibited. Section 90.35, "Farm Animals," states that "it shall be unlawful for any person to have farm animals on any property within the city limits except such property is classified as farm property for property tax purposes by Pickens County under provisions of state law" (§ 90.35(A)). Chickens are expressly listed as a "farm animal" alongside goats, pigs, cattle, horses, and turkeys (§ 90.35(B)), and are explicitly distinguished from "common pets including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits" which are exempt (§ 90.35(C)). This means an ordinary residential lot inside Easley city limits may NOT keep backyard hens or roosters unless the specific parcel carries an agricultural/farm tax classification with Pickens County.

The Easley Police Department enforces this section (§ 90.35(D)), and violations are misdemeanors punishable, per § 90.99, by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days imprisonment, plus state assessments.

Note on pending change: In late 2025 the Easley City Council was considering (first reading only, as of December 2025) a narrow amendment, Ordinance 2025-16, that would allow qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits on at least five contiguous acres to keep up to 12 hens (no roosters) under an annual permit for educational/therapeutic programs. This carve-out would NOT apply to typical residential homeowners and had not received final council approval as of the most recent information located.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

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

Peggy knows Easley

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Because chickens are classified as "farm animals" under § 90.35, there are no residential coop, run, or setback rules published for ordinary Easley homeowners — the keeping of any chickens on a standard residential lot is simply prohibited, regardless of coop design or lot size. The only pathway to lawfully keep chickens within city limits is if the specific property is officially classified as farm property for property tax purposes by Pickens County (§ 90.35(A)); such properties would then fall outside typical suburban setback/coop ordinances entirely and be governed by whatever county agricultural-use standards apply.

A narrowly-tailored 2025 proposal (Ordinance 2025-16) discussed by City Council would let qualifying tax-exempt nonprofits keep up to 12 hens (no roosters) on 5+ contiguous acres under an annual permit, with coops/runs required to be maintained in a "clean, sanitary, odor free, and well maintained condition," enforced by Easley Police, and revocable if the operation becomes a nuisance. This was still under council discussion (first reading, no final vote recorded) and does not apply to typical residential owners.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Easley

🌡️ Climate

USDA Zone 8a (parts of Pickens County range from 7b to 8b)

Easley sits in the Upstate/Piedmont region of South Carolina, with a humid subtropical climate featuring hot, humid summers and mild winters. Even though city ordinance currently bars backyard flocks, the climate itself would be very favorable for chicken-keeping if permitted — mild winters mean minimal cold-weather coop insulation is needed, while summer heat and humidity call for good ventilation and shade.

🦝 Who's after your hens

HawkFoxCoyoteRaccoonOpossumSnake

During a December 2025 council discussion of a limited hen-keeping proposal, members specifically raised concerns about predator risks including coyotes (and even bears) in Pickens County, underscoring that any future backyard or educational flocks in the Easley area would need predator-resistant coop construction.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Australorp, Easter Egger (heat-tolerant, cold-hardy dual-purpose breeds suited to the Upstate SC climate, should local law ever change)

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

Questions people ask about Easley

▸Can I keep a few backyard hens in Easley, SC?

Generally no. City Code § 90.35 prohibits keeping "farm animals" — a category that explicitly includes chickens — anywhere inside Easley city limits unless the property itself is classified as farm property for tax purposes by Pickens County.

▸Are roosters allowed if hens aren't?

No. Roosters are also chickens, and chickens as a category are barred from ordinary residential property under § 90.35 unless the land qualifies for the farm-property tax exception.

▸Is there any permit that lets a regular homeowner keep chickens in Easley?

No standard residential permit exists. The only exception in current code is for land classified as farm property by Pickens County for tax purposes — this is a property tax designation, not a permit application process available to typical suburban homeowners.

▸Is Easley considering changing its chicken ban?

Residents have publicly urged the council to reconsider Chapter 90.35, citing neighboring cities like Greer, Simpsonville, and Anderson that allow hens. As of the most recent information, council had only held a first reading (Ordinance 2025-16) on a narrow measure allowing qualifying nonprofits to keep up to 12 hens for educational/therapeutic purposes — this had not been finally adopted and would not apply to ordinary residents.

▸What happens if I keep chickens illegally in Easley?

The Easley Police Department enforces § 90.35, and violations are misdemeanors that can result in a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 30 days imprisonment, plus state assessments, under § 90.99.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Easley or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 28, 2026.