Buffalo, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max hens allowed
- 5 per property
- Annual license fee
- $25 per hen; max $125/year
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Coop setback from neighbor dwelling
- 20 feet minimum
- Coop size limit
- 32 sq ft total, 7 ft max height
- Adjacent neighbor consent
- Required in writing
Summary
Buffalo allows up to five domesticated chicken hens in residential districts with an annual City Clerk license ($25 per hen, max $125/year); no roosters, no commercial use, and written consent of adjacent property owners required.
It shall be lawful for any person to keep, permit or allow any domesticated chicken hens in any residential district under the following terms and conditions and after having received a license to keep said chicken hens from the City Clerk: A. No more than five chicken hens shall be allowed for each single-family dwelling or multifamily dwelling. B. No chicken hens shall be allowed in multifamily complexes, including duplexes, without the expressed written consent of the owner of the building and all tenants residing in the building other than the applicant. C. No chicken hens shall be allowed without the express written consent of all residents residing on property adjacent to that of the applicant. D. No roosters shall be allowed. E. Chicken hens are to be restricted to the rear or backyard of any lot in a residential zoning district. G. Chicken hens shall be kept as pets and for personal use only; no person shall sell eggs or meat or engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes. H. Persons wishing to keep chicken hens within the City of Buffalo must obtain a license from the Office of the City Clerk after payment of an annual fee of $25 per chicken hen, up to a maximum of five chicken hens, for a maximum total annual fee of $125.
Full Breakdown
License holders must keep hens confined to the rear or backyard. Coops must be at least 20 feet from any door or window of a neighbor's dwelling, no closer than 5 feet from side yard lot lines, and within 18 inches of the rear lot line. Coops cannot exceed 32 square feet total or 7 feet in height. Chicken hens must remain within a coop and fenced outdoor enclosure at all times. Multifamily buildings including duplexes require written consent of all tenants and the building owner. Slaughtering hens outdoors is prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Violations result in a City of Buffalo notice of violation (summons) under the Class AA Fine Schedule (§ 137-7). Three or more summonses result in license revocation. If hens are not removed within 30 days of revocation, the licensee faces the maximum Class AA fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep roosters with my hens?
Do I need my neighbors' permission before getting backyard chickens?
Can I sell eggs from my backyard hens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buffalo
How Buffalo compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·New York rules heatmap·Compare Buffalo to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.