Newport News city, VA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Combined rules for keeping chickens and other livestock such as goats, rabbits, and ducks on residential property, including lot size requirements.
Research in progress
We are currently verifying Newport News city's specific local ordinance for chickens & livestock. In the meantime,Virginia state law generally applies, and below you'll find guidance for finding the official rules and links to related Newport News city ordinances we've already verified.
Virginia State Law Context
Virginia state law provides the baseline framework for chickens & livestock across all municipalities in the state. Individual cities like Newport News city may adopt additional local rules on top of state requirements, which is what makes checking your specific city ordinance important. For Newport News city residents, the safest approach is to follow state law as a baseline and contact City Hall for any additional local requirements.
You can browse all Virginia animal ordinances to see how cities across the state regulate this topic.
How to find official Newport News city Chickens & Livestock rules
- Search for "Newport News city VA municipal code" to find your city's online code portal (Municode, eCode360, or American Legal Publishing are the most common).
- Look for chapters covering animal ordinances, zoning, nuisance, or property maintenance — that's where most chickens & livestock rules live.
- Contact Newport News city City Hall's code enforcement, planning, or community development department for clarification.
- Check with your HOA if applicable — many HOAs have stricter rules than the city itself.