Urban Providence County cities (Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket) restrict or prohibit backyard chickens. Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, and Johnston allow hens in residential zones with coop setbacks. No roosters in residential.
Providence Code Ch. 4 and Zoning §1202 restrict livestock to specific zones; backyard hens are permitted only under limited conditions with coop setbacks (typically 25 ft from property lines) and no roosters. Central Falls and Pawtucket prohibit or heavily restrict poultry in dense residential zones. Cranston Code §6.04 and Warwick Zoning permit a limited number of hens (typically 6) on sufficient lot size with no roosters. Smithfield, Lincoln, Cumberland, Johnston, and North Providence's more rural zones allow 6 to 12 hens with coop setbacks of 25 to 50 ft. RI Right to Farm (RIGL §2-23) and RIGL §2-1-21 protect established agricultural operations in agricultural zones. Sanitary conditions are required under state public health code; board of health may abate odor and vermin nuisances.
Unauthorized chickens in Providence/Central Falls: removal order, $100 to $500 per occurrence. Rooster nuisance: board of health abatement plus $50 to $500/day. Livestock in residential zone: $100 to $500/day and removal.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Providence County.
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