Oceanside, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Oceanside (pop. ~33,141) is an unincorporated hamlet/CDP in the southern part of the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. Because Oceanside is unincorporated, the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance (https://www.hempsteadny.gov/) governs. Hempstead's residential zones (Residence A, B, C, AA) do not permit the keeping of poultry, fowl, livestock, swine, goats, or similar agricultural animals as a matter of right. To keep chickens, a resident must apply for a Special Exception (also called a special-use permit) from the Town Board of Appeals, demonstrating no adverse impact on neighboring properties. The application process requires a fee, a public hearing, neighbor notification, and a written decision — often taking 3-6 months and several thousand dollars in fees and professional services. As of 2026, only a small number of Hempstead residents have obtained special exceptions for chicken-keeping. Roosters are universally prohibited as noise nuisances under the Town Code. Within Nassau County's 64 incorporated villages, 34 either allow chickens by permit or do not explicitly forbid them — but unincorporated areas including Oceanside fall under Hempstead's stricter rule.