Backyard Chickens in Ithaca, New York

Can you keep chickens in Ithaca?

Thinking about raising hens in Ithaca? The city legalized backyard chickens in 2016 and refined the rules in 2019 — hens are welcome (no roosters), but you'll need to register with the City Clerk, complete a Cornell Cooperative Extension seminar, and follow specific lot-size and setback requirements. Here's everything Peggy's Happy Chickens found in the official code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are legal in the City of Ithaca, NY. Under Article IV ("Backyard Chickens") of Chapter 164 of the City Code, up to six female chickens (hens only) may be kept on qualifying residential lots. Roosters and guinea fowl are expressly prohibited (§ 164-27K). Keepers must register with the City Clerk's Office, which requires a $35 fee and proof of completing a Cornell Cooperative Extension chicken-keeping seminar (§ 164-28).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $35
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Ithaca

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under § 164-27 of the City Code:

Chickens may only be kept on lots with property class code 210, 215, 220, 240, 250 (or substantially identical successors) and a lot size greater than 2,000 square feet.
No chicken facility or fenced pen may be located within the zone's setback requirements, within 20 feet of any adjacent lot's residential principal or accessory structure containing a dwelling unit, or within 5 feet of any abutting residential property line (unless the neighbor agrees in writing to a lesser setback).
Chickens must be kept only by a person who lives in a dwelling on the lot (§ 164-27D).
Chickens must be confined in a properly built coop or a fenced, covered enclosure/run of at least 4 square feet per chicken; the combined coop and run must be located in the rear yard and cannot cover more than 50% of it (§ 164-27E).
Chickens may not run at large, and adult hens must have daytime access to the coop and, weather permitting, a predator-proof outdoor enclosure (§ 164-27F, G).
Feed must be stored in rodent-resistant, weatherproof containers, and the coop/premises must be kept free of nuisance odor or noise (§ 164-27H, I).
Registrants must complete a Cornell Cooperative Extension (or similarly qualified) urban chicken-keeping seminar before registering (§ 164-27M).
The ordinance originated as a 20-registration pilot program in 2016 and was amended in 2019 (Ord. 2019-10) to its current standing rules.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Ithaca

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6a/6b

Ithaca has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. As of the latest USDA hardiness map update, the city sits in Zone 6a/6b, having shifted half a zone warmer from the historical Zone 5b/6a designation. The growing season runs roughly from early May to early October, so coops should be well-insulated and ventilated to handle sub-zero winter nights.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteOpossumSkunk

Backyard flocks in the Ithaca area should be secured against raccoons, foxes, coyotes, hawks, opossums, and skunks, all of which are common in the Finger Lakes region and can exploit gaps in coop fencing or overhead cover.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Cold-hardy, dual-purpose breeds do best in Ithaca's climate, such as Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Orpington, and Australorp — all known for tolerating harsh winters while remaining good layers.

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

Questions people ask about Ithaca

▸How many chickens can I keep in Ithaca?

Up to six female chickens (hens) are allowed per qualifying lot; roosters and guinea fowl are not permitted at all.

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

Yes. You must register with the City of Ithaca Clerk's Office, pay a one-time $35 registration fee, and provide proof of completing a Cornell Cooperative Extension chicken-keeping seminar.

▸How close to my property line can my coop be?

Coops and pens cannot be within the underlying zone's setback requirements, within 20 feet of a neighboring home or accessory structure with a dwelling unit, or within 5 feet of an abutting residential property line unless the neighbor agrees in writing to a smaller setback.

▸Can I keep chickens on any residential lot in Ithaca?

No — chickens are only allowed on lots with specific property class codes (210, 215, 220, 240, 250, or equivalents) and a lot size greater than 2,000 square feet.

▸What happens if my chickens create a nuisance?

The coop and premises must be kept free of odor and noise nuisances; three or more complaints to police can create a presumption of a violation, and the City Clerk may revoke a chicken registration and require removal of the birds.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Ithaca or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 27, 2026.