Backyard Chickens in Montgomery, Alabama

Can you keep chickens in Montgomery?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in Montgomery, Alabama? The city allows chickens, but where you can keep them — and whether you'll need special approval — depends on your zoning district, so it pays to check the rules before you build a coop.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, hens may be kept in Montgomery, but the rules depend entirely on your zoning district. The Zoning Ordinance permits chickens by right in AGR-1 (Residential Agriculture) and AGR-2 (General Agriculture) districts. In every standard residential district — R-125, R-100, R-85, R-75, R-65, R-60 and R-50 — chickens are only allowed after the property owner obtains a "special exception" from the city's Board of Adjustment. Roosters are prohibited citywide, regardless of zoning district. Chapter 4 (Animals) of the Code of Ordinances separately defines chickens as "livestock" and applies general public-nuisance, cruelty, and enclosure rules to them.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

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

Peggy knows Montgomery

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Chickens must be kept in a sanitary enclosure and may not run at large/free-range — loose chickens can be reported to 311 and the property owner will receive a compliance letter. If a residential property is not zoned to permit chickens outright, the owner must apply for a special exception through the Planning Department to be placed on the Board of Adjustment agenda; repeat complaints without compliance can lead to a municipal court petition. Under Chapter 4's public-nuisance-animal provisions, a coop/flock that habitually creates disturbing noise (relevant to crowing) or offensive odors can be declared a public nuisance, triggering a written warning and a right to remedy before a citation is issued. Multiple independent chicken-law directories report a common residential practical limit of up to 6 hens, though the ordinance itself ties flock specifics to the Board of Adjustment's special-exception conditions rather than a single citywide numeric cap.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Montgomery

🌡️ Climate

USDA Zone 8b

Montgomery has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers (average July/August highs around 92°F) and mild winters (average January lows around 35°F). Coops should prioritize ventilation, shade, and cooling in summer, with minimal supplemental heat needed in winter.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSnakeOpossum

Backyard flocks in the Montgomery area commonly face pressure from raccoons, hawks, foxes, coyotes, rat/chicken snakes, and opossums, all of which are established in central Alabama's mixed woodland-suburban habitat. Secure, fully enclosed (roofed) runs with buried hardware cloth are recommended given nightly raccoon and snake activity.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Easter Egger, Leghorn, Plymouth Rock (all noted for good heat tolerance suited to Alabama's hot, humid summers)

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

Questions people ask about Montgomery

▸Can I keep chickens on a standard residential lot in Montgomery?

Only with a special exception. Standard residential zones (R-125, R-100, R-85, R-75, R-65, R-60, R-50) do not permit chickens by right — you must apply to the city's Board of Adjustment for a special exception before keeping them.

▸Are roosters allowed anywhere in Montgomery?

No. Roosters are prohibited citywide under the Zoning Ordinance, regardless of zoning district.

▸What zoning districts allow chickens without special approval?

AGR-1 (Residential Agriculture) and AGR-2 (General Agriculture) districts permit chickens outright under the Zoning Ordinance.

▸What happens if my neighbor complains about my chickens?

If your property's zoning doesn't allow chickens, the city sends a compliance letter advising you to apply for a special exception. If complaints continue, city staff will attempt to document the violation with photos or video, and repeated non-compliance can result in a petition filed in municipal court.

▸Can my flock be cited as a public nuisance?

Yes. Under Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances, an animal (including poultry) that habitually creates disturbing noise or unsanitary/offensive odors can be declared a public nuisance, leading to a written warning and, if unresolved after seven days, a summons.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Montgomery or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 13, 2026.