Cranston, RI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Rooster limit
- One rooster per property
- Rooster setback
- 150 feet from neighbor's home
- Swine permit
- Annual, expires each March
- Horse pasture minimum
- 20,000 sq ft in residential areas
- Rooster fine (3rd offense)
- Up to $300
Summary
Cranston limits residents to one rooster, housed in a coop and fenced area at least 150 feet from a neighbor's dwelling; keeping swine anywhere in the city requires an annual permit, and horses need 20,000 square feet of pasture in built-up areas.
Each homeowner is permitted to keep one rooster in a coop and fenced in area on their property no closer than one hundred fifty (150) feet to the dwelling of any abutter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston Code § 6.08.300 caps every property at one rooster, kept in a coop within a fenced area no closer than 150 feet to an abutting dwelling; § 6.08.301 exempts activity conducted under Rhode Island's Right to Farm Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-23-1 et seq.). Elsewhere in the animal code, § 6.04.010 requires a permit from the city council's committee on police, sitting as the board of health, to keep swine anywhere in the city, renewed every March; § 6.04.030 bars keeping a horse in a closely built-up residential area unless the owner controls at least 20,000 square feet of pasture.
Violations & Fines
Rooster violations bring fines up to $100 first offense, $200 second, $300 third under § 6.08.303. Unpermitted swine keeping draws $5-$20 per offense plus $20 per day it continues; keeping a horse without enough pasture is a flat $50 fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Cranston?
Do I need a permit to keep pigs in Cranston?
Is there a Right to Farm exemption?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
How Cranston compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle chickens & livestock.