Keeping Chickens in Delaware, Florida, Georgia

We've compiled a list of major cities and their chicken-keeping laws in Delaware, Florida, and Georgia. Laws are always subject to change, so be sure to visit your city's website or zoning office to obtain the most up-to-date information. Even if you don't live within city limits, you may be subject to county laws. If you don't see your city or county listed, contact your local zoning or code enforcement office to verify any rules that apply to keeping chickens.

The Eglu Cube chicken coop is perfect for both newbies and advanced hen keepers.

Delaware

Delaware has a rich history with chickens, which probably contributes to them being widely accepted throughout the state. There are a few cities that don't currently allow chickens, and certain zoning determinations may affect your chicken-keeping plans — be sure to check with your city's office if you aren't sure about how your property is zoned. Note that the Delaware Department of Agriculture requires all poultry flocks to be registered, even a single bird, for biosecurity and disease tracking purposes.

• Bear - up to 6 chickens allowed on lots of at least 1 acre in non-residential zoning districts; chickens are not permitted on lots under 1 acre in residential zones; contact New Castle County Planning for your specific zoning
• Brookside - up to 6 chickens allowed on lots of at least 1 acre in non-residential zoning districts; same New Castle County rules apply
• Claymont - up to 6 chickens allowed on lots of at least 1 acre in non-residential zoning districts; same New Castle County rules apply
• Dover - up to 25 hens on lots of at least 10,890 sq ft; no roosters; no permit required; coop must be in rear yard, at least 10 feet from structures and 3 feet from property lines; DDA flock registration required
• Hockessin - up to 6 chickens allowed on lots of at least 1 acre in non-residential zoning districts; same New Castle County rules apply
• Middletown - chickens not allowed
• Milford - chickens are no longer permitted within city limits; the previous backyard chicken program was discontinued; contact the City of Milford directly to confirm current status
• Newark - up to 6 hens; no roosters; no permit required; coop must be in the backyard, at least 25 feet from neighboring homes and 10 feet from property lines; DDA flock registration required
• Smyrna - chickens not allowed in residential zones; allowed in agricultural zones
• Wilmington - no chickens allowed in residential zones; exceptions only for properties over 3 acres

Florida

Florida is a chicken-friendly state, but rules vary significantly from city to city and many have changed in recent years. There are no statewide rules — every city and county sets its own regulations on flock size, permits, setbacks, and rooster restrictions. In most Florida cities, roosters are not allowed in residential areas. Always verify current rules directly with your city or county code enforcement office before purchasing birds or building a coop, as several ordinances have been updated since 2023.

• Cape Coral - no official limit on hens; permit required; coop must be set back at least 50 feet from any neighboring property line
• Fort Lauderdale - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Hialeah - up to 4 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Jacksonville - up to 5 hens on single-family lots of at least 5,000 sq ft in RS-1, RS-2, and RS-3 zoning districts; no roosters; permit required; applicants must complete a Poultry Management Seminar offered by the Duval County Agricultural Extension Office before a permit is issued; coop must be in the backyard and screened from view
• Miami - up to 15 hens and 30 chicks; no roosters; permit required; coop must be at least 100 feet from any neighboring dwelling
• Orlando - up to 4 hens on single-family lots; no roosters; permit required; applicants must complete a University of Florida Agricultural Extension Office class before a permit is issued; coop must be at least 20 feet from neighboring homes and 5 feet from property lines; coop and run combined must not exceed 50 sq ft
• Port St. Lucie - chickens are not permitted within the city limits of Port St. Lucie; note that unincorporated St. Lucie County operates a separate Backyard Chicken Program - contact St. Lucie County directly if your property falls within unincorporated county land
• St. Petersburg - up to 10 hens; no roosters; no permit required; coop must not exceed 130 sq ft or 6 feet in height; coop must comply with side and rear setback requirements and is not permitted in the front yard
• Tallahassee - up to 12 hens; no roosters; no permit required; standard setback and sanitation rules apply
• Tampa - up to 10 hens; no roosters; no permit required; coop must not exceed 6 feet in height or 125 sq ft in area; standard accessory structure setbacks apply

Georgia

Georgia has no statewide chicken rules — all regulation is handled at the city and county level. Many Georgia cities allow generous numbers of chickens to be kept in backyards. Permits are required in some cities. Note that HOAs in Georgia can and frequently do prohibit chickens outright even where the city permits them — always check your HOA covenants in addition to your local ordinance.

• Athens - up to 6 hens; no roosters; no permit required for standard flocks; chickens must be kept in a covered enclosure in the rear yard; coop must be at least 50 feet from property lines and 20 feet from any dwelling
• Atlanta - up to 25 chickens per premises; no permit required; pens must be at least 50 feet from any neighboring residence or business; pens within 75 feet of a neighbor's residence must have a solid washable floor; roosters are not explicitly banned but sustained crowing is classified as a noise nuisance and subject to fines
• Augusta - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required in some zones; contact Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Zoning to confirm requirements for your specific address
• Johns Creek - up to 75 chickens depending on lot size; permit required; coop must be at least 25 feet from neighboring homes
• Mableton - 1 hen per 5,000 sq ft of land on lots under 2 acres; no roosters on lots less than 2 acres; coop must be in the rear yard
• Macon - up to 6 hens in residential zones; no roosters; coop must be properly ventilated, provide predator protection, and be set back at least 15 feet from side and rear property lines
• Sandy Springs - up to 75 chickens depending on lot size; contact Sandy Springs Planning and Zoning to confirm current setback and enclosure requirements