Backyard Chickens in Orlando, Florida

Q: How many chickens can I keep in Orlando?

Up to four hens may be kept at an occupied single-family residence with a valid Backyard Chicken permit. Roosters and all other poultry/fowl types are not allowed (Sec. 6.19).

Can you keep chickens in Orlando?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in the City Beautiful? Orlando allows residents to keep up to four hens with a city permit, but the program is capped citywide and comes with specific coop, setback, and class requirements you'll want to nail down before you build.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of Orlando permits residents to keep backyard hens under its Backyard Chicken program (Code of the City of Orlando, Sec. 6.19 and Sec. 58.901(j), enacted by Ordinance No. 2016-79). A permit is required, and only a limited number of permits are issued citywide.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $50
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Orlando

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Up to 4 hens only may be kept at an occupied single-family residence with a valid permit; ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, roosters, pigeons, or any other poultry/fowl are not allowed (Sec. 6.19(2)-(3)).
Chickens are not allowed on duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, multifamily properties, or community gardens (Sec. 6.19(4)).
Chickens must be secured at all times in a covered coop, chicken tractor, or fenced pen/run built with hardware cloth (chicken wire is prohibited) (Sec. 6.19(5)).
Coops must be located in the rear yard only (no front or side yards), must be under 50 sq ft, and must be tied down for wind resistance (Sec. 58.901(j)(1),(3)).
Setbacks: at least 20 feet from any neighboring residential home, at least 5 feet from the applicant's own principal structure, and at least 5 feet from any property line (0 ft allowed only next to a masonry wall in a non-residential zone) (Sec. 58.901(j)(2)).
Coops/pens must be cleaned regularly; odors, noise, or pests must not be perceptible at the property line, and manure may not accumulate (Sec. 6.19(6)-(7)).
A compost bin for manure is allowed if kept at least 20 feet from all property lines (Sec. 6.19(8)).
Chickens are for personal use only — selling eggs, birds, feathers, or manure, breeding, or on-site slaughter is prohibited (Sec. 6.19(9)-(10)).
Applicants must complete a University of Florida Agricultural Extension class ($20 fee) and submit site photos/plan before permit approval; only 100 permits are issued citywide on a first-come, first-served basis (Sec. 58.901(j)(4),(6)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Orlando

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 9b/10a (humid subtropical)

Orlando sits in USDA hardiness zone 9b–10a with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Frost is rare, so coop design should focus more on shade, ventilation, and heat management than winter insulation. Frequent summer thunderstorms and hurricane season (June–November) mean coops need good drainage and secure, wind-resistant construction — a requirement the city's own ordinance explicitly calls out for backyard coops.

🦝 Who's after your hens

HawkFoxRaccoonOpossumSnakeCoyoteBobcat

Central Florida backyards commonly attract raccoons, opossums, and snakes (especially around coops with accessible feed), along with hawks patrolling open yards. Coyotes, foxes, and even the occasional bobcat can also threaten unsecured flocks, which is part of why Orlando's ordinance mandates hardware-cloth-secured coops and bans thinner chicken wire.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Heat-tolerant breeds do best in Orlando's climate: Leghorns, Easter Eggers, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Barred Rocks, and Golden Comets are popular choices for consistent egg production despite the heat and humidity.

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

Questions people ask about Orlando

▸How many chickens can I keep in Orlando?

Up to four hens may be kept at an occupied single-family residence with a valid Backyard Chicken permit. Roosters and all other poultry/fowl types are not allowed (Sec. 6.19).

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

Yes. A Backyard Chicken permit from the City is required. The city caps issuance at 100 permits citywide on a first-come, first-served basis, and applicants must complete a University of Florida Extension class and pay a $50 permit fee.

▸Can I keep a rooster in Orlando?

No. Male chickens/roosters are explicitly prohibited under the ordinance, along with ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, and pigeons (Sec. 6.19(3)).

▸How far must my coop be from my neighbor's house?

The coop, pen, or chicken tractor must be at least 20 feet from any neighboring residential home, at least 5 feet from your own house, and at least 5 feet from any property line (Sec. 58.901(j)(2)).

▸Can I sell eggs from my Orlando backyard chickens?

No. Chickens must be kept strictly for personal use — selling eggs, chickens, feathers, or manure, breeding, and on-site slaughter are all prohibited under Sec. 6.19(9)-(10).

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