Backyard Chickens in Queens, New York

Can you keep chickens in Queens?

Queens' rich immigrant and gardening traditions have long included small backyard flocks, and it remains one of the most chicken-friendly boroughs in the country — hens are legal citywide with no permit and no flock-size cap. Just remember: no roosters allowed, and keep it clean and quiet for the neighbors!

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Backyard hens are legal throughout Queens and all five boroughs of New York City under the NYC Health Code § 161.19 ("Keeping of Livestock, Live Poultry and Rabbits"). The code does not prohibit hens and sets no numeric cap on how many you may keep for personal, non-commercial use.

Roosters, ducks, geese, and turkeys, however, are explicitly banned citywide: "No person shall keep a live rooster, duck, goose or turkey in the City of New York except (1) in a slaughterhouse authorized by federal or state law..." unless otherwise authorized under §161.01(a). A NYC Department of Health spokesperson has separately confirmed no permit or license is required to keep hens, though owners must avoid creating nuisance conditions.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Queens

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

NYC Health Code § 161.19(c) applies a 25-foot setback specifically to live poultry markets (coops/runways of commercial live rabbit and poultry markets must be located at least 25 feet from any building); it does not set a numeric setback for an ordinary residential backyard flock. Section 161.19(b) requires that premises where livestock, rabbits, or poultry are kept — and the surrounding areas — be kept clean and free of animal nuisances. Section 161.19(c) also bars keeping live rabbits/poultry intended for sale on the same premises as a multiple dwelling or other residence. In practice, the NYC Department of Health has stated hens must be housed with adequate space and without creating odor, noise, or pest nuisances, since general nuisance and sanitary code provisions still apply even though the Health Code itself sets no specific coop-size or setback rule for personal (non-sale) hen-keeping. Renters should also confirm landlord/building approval, as private leases can restrict animal-keeping even where city law allows it.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Queens

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7b

Queens has a humid continental climate with cold, occasionally snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Coops should be insulated and draft-free but well-ventilated for winter, with shade and airflow planned for muggy summer heat waves.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkOpossumSkunkWeasel

Even in dense urban Queens neighborhoods, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and Cooper's/red-tailed hawks are common backyard visitors that target coops, especially near parks, cemeteries, and waterfront green spaces. Secure, hardware-cloth-covered runs with buried predator skirts and a fully enclosed roof are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, Australorp, Orpington

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

Questions people ask about Queens

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Queens, NY?

No. The NYC Department of Health does not require a permit or license to keep hens in Queens or any other borough, though you must still avoid creating nuisance conditions.

▸How many hens can I keep in Queens?

There is no set numeric limit under NYC Health Code § 161.19 for personal (non-sale) hen-keeping, though your flock must be housed without creating a nuisance and with adequate space per bird.

▸Can I keep a rooster in Queens?

No. NYC Health Code § 161.19(a) bans keeping a live rooster (as well as ducks, geese, and turkeys) anywhere in New York City, except in licensed slaughterhouses or specifically authorized facilities.

▸Are there setback rules for my chicken coop in Queens?

The Health Code sets a 25-foot setback from buildings specifically for commercial live poultry markets, but does not specify a numeric backyard setback for personal hen-keeping — general sanitation and nuisance rules still apply.

▸Can I sell eggs or chickens from my Queens backyard flock?

Commercial sale changes the rules: live poultry intended for sale cannot be kept on the same premises as a multiple dwelling or other residence under § 161.19(c), so backyard flocks are best kept for personal, non-commercial egg production.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Queens or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 29, 2026.