Islip, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Islip Town Code Ch. 12, Art. IV
- Poultry density
- 15 birds per 500 sq ft of rear yard
- Setback
- 10 ft from side/rear lines; rear yard only
- Quiet hours
- No audible poultry noise 11 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Equine livestock
- Town permit per head, 2-year term
Summary
Islip allows residents to keep poultry such as chickens if it does not create a nuisance or health hazard, capping density at 15 birds per 500 square feet of rear-yard enclosure with 10-foot setbacks, while equine livestock requires a Town permit per head.
Any person may keep, maintain or house poultry, provided that such poultry does not constitute a nuisance or create a hazard to public health. No more than 15 birds defined as poultry may be kept or maintained for every 500 square feet of rear yard space being used for the keeping of poultry.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4826765; v112 updated 2026-02-24; through 02-24-2026).
Full Breakdown
Town of Islip Code Chapter 12, Article IV (Equine Livestock, Pigeons and Poultry) provides that any person may keep, maintain or house poultry provided it does not constitute a nuisance or create a hazard to public health; 'poultry' includes chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pheasant and other domestically maintained fowl. Following 2010 amendments, chickens and other poultry must be kept in a rear yard within an accessory structure, yard or enclosure at all times, with no more than 15 birds for every 500 square feet of rear-yard area used for poultry, and accessory structures housing poultry must be set back at least 10 feet from side and rear property lines and may not be located in a front yard.
m. Equine livestock is regulated separately: a permit is required from the Building Director of the Department of Planning and Development for each head of equine livestock, valid for a two-year period from issuance for a fee set by the Commissioner.
Violations & Fines
Keeping poultry as a nuisance or health hazard, exceeding the density and setback limits, or keeping equine livestock without the required Town permit violates Chapter 12 Article IV and is enforced by Islip code enforcement with Town Code penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Islip?
Are roosters or noisy chickens allowed in Islip?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Islip
How Islip compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·New York rules heatmap·Compare Islip to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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