Roanoke City Virginia Chicken Ordinance

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Are Chickens Allowed in this locationYes
Max Chickens Allowed10 in Non-Ag property <20,000 sq ft; 40 in Ag property
Roosters AllowedYes
Permit RequiredNo
Coop RestrictionsAll poultry shall be kept in securely and suitably fenced areas, and no fenced area or pen for poultry shall be permitted closer than fifty (50) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the person maintaining such poultry or his immediate family.
City/Organization Contact nameCity of Roanoke, VA; (540)853-2000
Additional Information
ARTICLE V. - POULTRY
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Sec. 6-93. - Definition.
Sec. 6-94. - Violation of article as nuisance.
Sec. 6-95. - Limitations on keeping poultry.
Sec. 6-96. - Fencing; roaming at large.
Sec. 6-97. - Maintenance of area where kept.
Secs. 6-98—6-107. - Reserved.

Sec. 6-93. - Definition.
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The word "poultry," as used in this article, shall mean any domesticated birds raised for food, either meat or eggs, feathers or show, including, but not limited to chickens, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys, guinea fowl and pigeons.
(Ord. No. 24443, Ch. 5, § 1, 12-11-78)​
Sec. 6-94. - Violation of article as nuisance.
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In addition to any penalty imposed for a violation of any provision of this article, such violation is hereby declared a public nuisance and any person suffering injury or damage therefrom may seek the correction, removal or abatement of such nuisance through appropriate suit in equity.
(Ord. No. 24443, Ch. 5, § 4, 12-11-78)​
Sec. 6-95. - Limitations on keeping poultry.
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The keeping of poultry on a lot shall be subject to these limitations:​
(a)
A maximum of ten (10) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet.
(b)
A maximum of forty (40) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more.
(c)
The limits on the number of poultry animals above shall not apply to any parcel on which such activity is permitted as of right, permitted by special exception, or permitted as a continuation of a nonconforming use, pursuant to chapter 36.2, zoning.

(Ord. No. 2443, Ch. 5, § 2, 12-11-78; Ord. No. 39514, § 1, 10-1-12)​
Sec. 6-96. - Fencing; roaming at large.
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All poultry shall be kept in securely and suitably fenced areas, and no fenced area or pen for poultry shall be permitted closer than fifty (50) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the person maintaining such poultry or his immediate family. No poultry shall be permitted to roam at large.
(Ord. No. 2443, Ch. 5, § 3, 12-11-78)
Charter reference— Authority of city to regulate or prohibit running at large of fowl, § 2(19).
State law reference— Authority to prohibit fowl at large, Code of Virginia, § 15.1-870.​
Sec. 6-97. - Maintenance of area where kept.
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Every person maintaining any area for keeping poultry shall keep it clean, sanitary and free from refuse. All poultry feed or other material intended for consumption by poultry shall be kept in containers impenetrable by rats or other rodents, and such containers shall be equipped with tightly fitting caps or lids. The presence of rats in an area used for the keeping of poultry shall be prima facie evidence that such area is maintained in violation of this section.
(Ord. No. 24443, Ch. 5, § 3, 12-11-78)​
Secs. 6-98—6-107. - Reserved.
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Link for more Informationhttp://library.municode.com/HTML/11474/level3/COCI_CH6ANFO_ARTVPO.html
Information Last Updated2012.12.22 - 13:05


NOTE: This information was submitted by a member of our chicken forum. Please make sure to double check that this information is accurate before you proceed with raising chickens. Learn more about local chicken laws and ordinances.