Glen Cove, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 87-15, added December 8, 1987, makes it unlawful to own, harbor, or maintain cows, horses, swine, other livestock, rabbits, rodents other than gerbils and guinea pigs, reptiles, chickens, ducks, pigeons, poultry, other fowl, or insects on any Glen Cove premises without first obtaining a permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals following a public hearing, unless the Board waives the hearing; the section carves out dogs, cats, similar household pets, and animals kept by educational institutions for scientific purposes. Section 87-16 requires the application to be accompanied by written consent from at least 75% of adult residents living within 200 feet of the property's outer boundary, plus a fee the City Council sets by resolution, filed with the Building Department Administrator on the Board's behalf.

Section 87-17 lets the Board issue the permit for whatever term and conditions it deems necessary to protect community health, safety, and welfare, and Section 87-18 confirms the permit process does not override Chapter 280, Zoning. Section 87-8 layers on absolute distance rules regardless of any permit: no swine may be kept anywhere in the city, no cow or cattle may be kept within 250 feet of a dwelling or place of human habitation, and no horse, pony, donkey, or mule may be kept within 100 feet of a dwelling other than one on the same premises, all without superseding Chapter 280. Violations of Article I carry the general penalty in Chapter 1, Article II, under Section 87-19.