Portsmouth, VA Chicken Laws?

I've looked and looked online, and I can't seem to find any definite answer as to whether or not backyard chickens are allowed in Portsmouth. I live in the Long Point area (a residential neighborhood) and would love to get a couple chickens (no roosters) for my backyard, but I want to make sure it's legal so my neighbors don't get mad at me. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

I would love to know the answer to this as well! We're right down the street in Bishops Green. I think we need to not only check with Portsmouth City ordinances, but also with our local HOAs. We're military and rent, so I'll be checking with the land lord as well. Good luck! and please post if you figure it out!

hope you all find the answers you need and they are what you want to hear I lived in Portsmouth for a while' was stationed at the CG Base. Oh the memories! Try and get a hold of your local agriculture division at the county offices. They should have some answers for you.

This is the reply I got when I emailed the city:


Prior to 5/1/2010, properties which could have chickens were under the "Permitted Use Chart". That entry has been omitted which means chickens are now longer permitted anywhere.
Apparently chickens existing on a property could be "grandfathered in", as long as they were properties under the old "Permitted Use Chart". I hope that helps.


So, that really sucks. I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to just do it anyway. My neighbors around me seem nice, but I'm not sure how they'd react to a couple chickens... lol

I think I found something. I'm zoned GR (RS-100) and according to this document raising chickens is a permitted activity. You can't have more than 4 girls, no roosters, the coop has to be at least 25 ft away from residential structures, and no slaughtering.

http://www.portsmouthva.gov/planning/images/destinationptown/Portsmouth Key Issues 6-19-08 sm.pdf

I just saw your post after I posted mine. Well dang!! I think if maybe you talk to your neighbors first and get the okay from them I'd go for it. My neighbors are awesome, I might talk to them too.

Well the problem with my lot is that I have so many neighbors!! I'm in a cul-de-sac, so my lot is shaped oddly, and I have five different backyard neighbors. I've thought about putting up a privacy fence, though; they wouldn't be able to see the chickens, and I honestly doubt they'd be able to hear them.

I'm in NC, an extremely rural little town. My town ordinance was ridiculous about letting me keep chickens even though I own an acre lot that is backed by woods and no neighbors. There is a lot of property between any of my neighbors and my house. The town council wouldn't address the change in ordinance so I got my chickens anyway. Most of my neighbors know about it (including a council member) and I haven't had a problem with it. I have 9 girls. They can get loud at times and I can hear them well away from my house.

If no one has any reason to complain you might be OK. Free eggs for neighbors that know is a good way to smooth it over.

Brelywi, I used to live in Long Point as well! My husband is Navy, and we were recently transferred to Bremerton, WA. We are fighting our own chicken battle here in this city, and are under a one-year "trial" phase where 4 hens will be allowed until the ordinance is reviewed again this summer. We're definitely working on our council members to try to make this ordinance permanent.

I heard, too, that hens were legal in Portsmouth until May 2010, when the ordinance was changed. So unfortunate! We had been planning on getting chickens when we lived there, but were hesitant when we read of the change in their legal status. We were also living in a cul-de-sac, although we did have a 6ft privacy fence, which I think would help a lot. If I were you, I think I would talk to the neighbors if at all possible. You definitely wouldn't want them to report you, as some neighbors might do. Your neighbors are more inclined to support you if they feel you've taken their opinion into consideration. Also, please start contacting your city council members to petition for a change in the ordinance. There must be a reason they removed chickens from the list of permitted animals. You can show them that you will be a responsible owner by proposing reasonable restrictions (e.g. no more than 4 hens, no roosters, set back from other property lines, maybe a temporary "trial" phase like we are doing here in Bremerton). Stress the imporance of raising your own eggs for food, etc.

Best of luck to you!

I live in Portsmouth have wonderful neighbors and backyard chickens. Just had a visit today someone complained. Ive had them for years. I would love to get a group started to get this ruling changed. Please feel free to contact me. Lets see what we can get going.