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

Section 79-33, added by Local Law No. 13-2014, lets a single-family residential property keep chickens accessory to the home, capped at six birds raised solely for noncommercial purposes; roosters and on-site breeding are both prohibited outright. Chickens must stay in a coop or fully enclosed run at all times, built so they cannot fly over or otherwise escape, and only one coop and one run are allowed per parcel, each capped at 20 square feet and 48 inches in height, kept out of front or side yards and set back at least 15 feet from any property line.

A building permit is required to construct the coop or run, feed must be stored in secure containers that will not draw rodents or deer, waste cannot be composted or mulched on-site, and any odor cannot be perceptible beyond the property line. Chicken-keeping also has to comply with the Town's separate sanitary, noise, and property-maintenance rules. Article III of Chapter 79 covers other livestock: § 79-34, added by Local Law No. 4-2017, allows noncommercial livestock (defined broadly in § 79-28 to include hooved animals and poultry) only on lots of five acres or more, with housing and fencing set back at least 50 feet from every property line, plus a blanket carve-out allowing up to two beehives per parcel without meeting the five-acre threshold. Both chicken-keeping and livestock-raising violations are enforced by the Building Department Manager, who can issue appearance tickets directly.