Fairfax, VA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Unlike many Virginia jurisdictions that have loosened backyard chicken rules over the past decade, the City of Fairfax zoning ordinance continues to treat poultry as an agricultural use rather than a residential accessory use in most zones. Chapter 14 of the City Code and the zoning ordinance together require a special use permit for keeping chickens or other poultry on lots in standard residential districts, and the approval path considers lot size, coop setback from property lines and dwellings, predator control, odor, and neighbor notification. Typical required setbacks when approval is granted are 25 feet from any property line and at least 40 feet from a neighboring dwelling. Roosters are prohibited citywide because of sustained-noise nuisance rules in Chapter 62. Flock sizes are typically capped at four to six hens under approved permits. Slaughter on the property is prohibited, and feed must be stored in sealed, rodent-proof containers. Violations are zoning enforcement matters that start with a notice of violation and escalate to civil penalties and removal orders.