Alexandria, VA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Under Sec. 5-7-2 of the general code (Animals and Fowl, Article A), it is unlawful to keep or allow to be kept 'any fowl' within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by the keeper; the section defines fowl to include chickens, hens, roosters, ducks, geese, pigeons or any domesticated barnyard bird, so a backyard flock is only lawful if every neighboring residence not owned or occupied by the keeper sits at least 200 feet away, which effectively rules out coops in most of Alexandria's rowhouse and townhouse neighborhoods.

Sec. 5-7-3 separately regulates livestock, defined as horses, ponies, mules, burros, cows, bulls, steers, calves, heifers, sheep and goats. Livestock keeping requires an area of at least one and one-half acres, and no livestock may be kept within 200 feet of an occupied residence belonging to someone else or within 25 feet of any property line. 5 acres, with one more adult head permitted for each additional half-acre. The section exempts livestock only briefly present in the city within a 24-hour period for business purposes, and animals housed for historical carriage tours, which remain subject to city manager regulations on housing, maintenance and working conditions.

Swine are separately and completely banned citywide under Sec. 5-7-1, with no acreage exception. Both the fowl and livestock provisions carry the same penalty structure inherited from the 1963 code: a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $10, with each day of continuing violation charged as a separate offense.