Amherst, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Town Code § 99-2(A) prohibits owning, keeping, harboring or maintaining livestock in Amherst outside the Village of Williamsville, except for chickens, which are separately regulated by the Zoning Ordinance at Chapter 203, § 6-8-9(B). In the SA, R-R, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts, that section allows chicken-raising as an accessory use to an occupied single-family detached dwelling, for noncommercial purposes only, and caps the flock at a maximum of six chickens; roosters are barred entirely and on-site breeding is not allowed. A resident must get a permit from the Building Department before starting, submitting a property survey, a dimensioned coop plan, and two photos of the yard area.

Chickens must stay in a coop or fenced run built so they cannot fly over or escape, cannot be kept in the front yard between the house and the street, and any odor cannot be perceptible beyond the property line. Feed must be stored in containers secure against rodents and vermin, and waste cannot be composted or mulched on-site. Coops built on or after May 1, 2014 must sit at least 15 feet from any property line (three feet for coops that predate that date), and the coop must be screened from public view with solid fencing or landscaping.

The Building Commissioner can withdraw the accessory-use permit for noncompliance, and continuing to keep chickens without a valid permit becomes its own violation under § 8-16-1.