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

7 sets citywide farm-animal standards in Exhibit VII-1 for any district other than R-C, which has its own separate rules. Poultry is defined as any free-ranging, domesticated fowl weighing no more than 30 pounds as an adult. A coop or run must sit at least 20 feet from the property line for four or fewer hens, jumping to a 100-foot setback from the nearest residence once more than four hens are kept, and it must be located behind the front building line either way. The maximum flock size is four fowl on a lot of 15,000 square feet or smaller, plus one additional fowl for every extra 5,000 square feet of lot area, capped at 40 fowl total regardless of lot size.

"Small farm animals," meaning any domesticated animal raised for food weighing up to 150 pounds, are limited to two per lot under ten acres on a 15,000-square-foot minimum, with one more allowed per additional acre, all set back 20 feet from the property line. Goats get their own count: two on a 15,000-square-foot lot, with one additional goat allowed per acre beyond that. Keeping swine is prohibited outright, with no exceptions listed. "Large farm animals," those over 151 pounds such as cattle or horses, require a two-acre minimum for up to two animals and a full ten acres for three or more, with enclosures kept at least 200 feet from any property line. Selling eggs, milk, meat or other animal products commercially is barred on any lot smaller than ten acres.