Queens County Chickens & Livestock Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know

New York City has never banned backyard chickens. Under NYC Health Code Section 161.19, keeping hens is legal in all five boroughs, including Queens, without the need for a permit, license, or any registration. There is no specific limit on the number of hens you may keep, though the practical constraint is the nuisance standard.

Roosters and other fowl — including geese, ducks, and turkeys — are not permitted. Only hens are allowed. This restriction exists primarily because of noise: roosters crow loudly and persistently, creating the kind of noise complaint that would run afoul of the Noise Code.

Chicken coops can be built anywhere on your property without a building permit. The city's regulations are flexible regarding coop design and placement. However, coops must be maintained in sanitary conditions — clean, well-ventilated, and secure against pests. If your chickens or their coop creates "nuisance conditions" for neighbors (pests, odors, excessive noise), the Department of Health can order abatement and impose fines up to $2,000.

If you plan to sell chickens or eggs commercially, additional restrictions apply: chickens kept for sale may not be maintained on the same premises as an apartment building. Commercial poultry operations in residential areas are illegal. However, keeping a small backyard flock for personal egg production is entirely legal and requires no special authorization. Most Queens chicken keepers maintain flocks of 3 to 6 hens to stay well within practical limits.