Backyard Chickens in Roswell, Georgia

Can you keep chickens in Roswell?

Thinking about starting a flock in Roswell, Georgia? The city allows hens as a limited residential use, with flock size scaled to your lot — but roosters are off the table everywhere in the city. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found in the official Roswell code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are allowed in Roswell, Georgia, but only as a "limited use" in specific residential zoning districts. Per the City's Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 9.7.21, poultry (not including roosters) is permitted as a limited use in the AG-43, RS-87, RS-30, RS-18, RS-12, RS-9, RS-6, RS-4, R-CC, R-TH, RM-2, and RM-3 zoning districts. The number of birds you may keep is tied directly to your lot size, and roosters are banned citywide.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 36
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Roswell

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

The City of Roswell bases allowable flock size on total lot size used to house the poultry:

Lots under 0.33 acre: no poultry allowed.
0.34 acre to 1.00 acre: maximum of 6 birds.
1.01 acres or more: 12 birds per acre, up to a total maximum of 36 birds per single-family detached residence.

Additional standards (UDC § 9.7.21):

Roosters are expressly prohibited citywide.
Keeping poultry is for non-commercial, personal use only — no on-site sales are allowed.
Poultry must be kept only in the rear or side yard, within a fenced area.
Any poultry enclosure, permanent or not, must be set back a minimum of 25 feet from any residential structure on an abutting lot.
Keeping poultry must not create a nuisance under Chapter 8.8 of the Roswell City Code — odor must not be perceptible at property boundaries, and noise must not disturb people of reasonable sensitivity at the property line.
Permanent poultry enclosures must meet all requirements for accessory structures.

Note: Roswell's ordinance has changed over the years (an earlier 2011 version used a 50-ft setback and allowed a temporary 15-bird grandfather allowance with a $50 permit for owners exceeding the cap at that time). The current officially posted city guidance cited above reflects the present 25-ft setback and lot-size tiers.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Roswell

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 8a / Köppen Cfa (Humid Subtropical)

Roswell has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers (highs around 90°F in July) and short, mild winters (lows in the mid-30s°F in January). High summer humidity and heavy spring/summer thunderstorms mean coops need excellent ventilation, shade, and good drainage, while mild winters mean minimal cold-weather preparation is needed for most breeds.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSnakeOpossum

Suburban Roswell flocks face pressure from raccoons, opossums, and hawks, while foxes and coyotes are common in wooded areas near the Chattahoochee River corridor. Rat snakes and copperheads are also a regional concern for egg and chick safety. Secure, buried hardware-cloth fencing and covered runs are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Easter Egger, Australorp (heat-tolerant, calm breeds well-suited to Georgia's humid summers)

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

Questions people ask about Roswell

▸Can I keep a rooster in Roswell?

No. Roswell's ordinance defines poultry to include chickens, ducks, guineas, quail, and pigeons, but roosters are expressly prohibited citywide.

▸How many chickens can I keep in Roswell?

It depends on your lot size: less than 0.33 acre allows none, 0.34–1.00 acre allows up to 6 birds, and 1.01+ acres allows 12 birds per acre up to a maximum of 36.

▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Roswell?

The City's current published guidance on poultry keeping (UDC Section 9.7.21) does not list a permit requirement — it focuses on lot-size limits, fencing, setbacks, and nuisance standards.

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

Any poultry enclosure, whether permanent or not, must be located a minimum of 25 feet from any residential structure on an abutting lot.

▸Can I sell eggs from my Roswell backyard flock?

No. The ordinance specifies that keeping of poultry is for non-commercial, personal use only, and no sales on the premises are allowed.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Roswell or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 24, 2026.