Burlington permits a small number of backyard hens on residential lots subject to setbacks, coop standards, and a ban on roosters. Other livestock are restricted by zoning under the Comprehensive Development Ordinance.
The Comprehensive Development Ordinance and Chapter 5 together regulate urban agriculture in Burlington. Single- and two-family lots may keep a limited number of laying hens (typically up to six) for personal use, with the coop set back from property lines and kept clean to avoid odor or rodents. Roosters are prohibited because of noise. Larger livestock such as goats, pigs, or cattle are not allowed in residential districts. The city encourages backyard food production tied to its climate and food-security goals, but enforcement responds to neighbor complaints about smell, noise, or sanitation.
Code Compliance citations under Ch. 14 with daily civil penalties; orders to remove non-compliant coops, animals, or roosters from the premises.
Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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See how Burlington's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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