Albany, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hen limit
- Up to 6 hens per lot
- Roosters
- Prohibited citywide
- License
- $25 annual City Clerk license required
- Setback
- 25-foot setback from neighbor's home
- Citywide cap
- Only 80 licenses active at once
Summary
Albany bans farm animals and livestock citywide but allows up to six hens per lot with a City Clerk license, lot-area minimums, and a 25-foot setback from neighboring homes; roosters are prohibited.
The owner or primary occupant of any dwelling may be permitted to keep on the lot containing the dwelling a maximum of six hens, provided that:
A. The property has 200 square feet of total lot area exclusive of buildings for the keeping of two hens, with an additional 100 square feet for every additional hen up to the maximum of six hens permitted;
B. No person shall keep any rooster (male chicken);
C. The hens shall be provided with a clean, covered, well-ventilated enclosure that is secure from predators and is cleaned regularly to prevent the accumulation of animal waste, feathers, and uneaten food;
D. The hens must be kept in the covered enclosure or within a fenced area at all times;
E. No enclosure for the hens shall be located closer than 25 feet to an occupied residential dwelling on an adjoining lot; provided, however, such setback can be reduced upon submission of written permission from the owner of any adjoining dwelling(s) that is closer than 25 feet to the planned location of the hen enclosure;
F. The total area of all coops or enclosures on a lot shall not be greater than 150 square feet for up to six hens. Coops or enclosures shall not exceed seven feet in height, and coops exceeding 80 square feet in size shall be subject to any and all permits deemed necessary by the Director of the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance;
G.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
Albany Code Chapter 115, Article VIII bans keeping farm animals or fowl citywide, then carves out hens. An owner or primary occupant may keep up to six hens per lot, needing 200 square feet of lot area for the first two hens plus 100 square feet per additional hen. Coops must be covered, predator-secure, no larger than 150 square feet total, and set back at least 25 feet from a neighboring home unless that owner consents in writing. Roosters are banned outright. Keepers must first get a $25 annual license from the City Clerk, capped at 80 active citywide.
Violations & Fines
Violating the hen rules draws a $150 fine for a first offense, $300 for a second, and permit revocation with seizure of the hens on a third offense; unlicensed farm animals are prohibited outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a rooster in Albany?
Do I need a permit to keep hens in Albany?
Can I keep goats, pigs, or other livestock in Albany?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
How Albany compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·New York rules heatmap·Compare Albany to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Albany County handle chickens & livestock.