Roanoke, VA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Poultry cap, small lot
- 10 birds under 20,000 sq ft
- Poultry cap, large lot
- 40 birds at 20,000+ sq ft
- Pen setback
- 50 feet from neighbor's residence
- Livestock rule
- Zoning-permitted use only (§ 6-7)
- Sanitation
- Rat presence = prima facie violation
Summary
Roanoke caps backyard poultry at 10 birds on lots under 20,000 square feet and 40 birds on larger lots, with pens kept at least 50 feet from neighboring residences and no roaming at large. Livestock (cows, goats, horses, pigs, and more) requires zoning approval outside as-of-right areas.
Sec. 6-95. - Limitations on keeping poultry. The keeping of poultry on a lot shall be subject to these limitations: (a) A maximum of ten (10) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. (b) A maximum of forty (40) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more... Sec. 6-96. - Fencing; roaming at large. All poultry shall be kept in securely and suitably fenced areas, and no fenced area or pen for poultry shall be permitted closer than fifty (50) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes...No poultry shall be permitted to roam at large.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 6-95 sets a two-tier poultry cap: a maximum of ten poultry animals on a parcel under 20,000 square feet, and a maximum of forty on a parcel of 20,000 square feet or more, though Sec. 6-95(c) lifts the cap entirely where the activity is permitted as of right, by special exception, or as a nonconforming use under the zoning chapter (the RA District qualifies). Sec. 6-93 defines poultry broadly to include chickens, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys, guinea fowl and pigeons kept for food, feathers or show.
Sec. 6-96 requires poultry be kept in securely and suitably fenced areas, bars pens closer than 50 feet to a neighboring residence, and flatly prohibits poultry from roaming at large. Sec. 6-97 requires the keeping area be kept clean, sanitary and free from refuse, with feed stored in rodent-proof containers; the presence of rats is treated as prima facie evidence of a violation. Separately, Sec. 2 zoning; livestock running loose can be impounded under Sec. 6-6, with the owner billed for impoundment costs. Both livestock and poultry violations are separately declared public nuisances actionable in equity by any injured neighbor, in addition to the criminal penalty.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the poultry cap, keeping birds within 50 feet of a neighbor's home, or letting poultry roam at large violates Sec. 6-95/6-96, a Class 4 misdemeanor under the chapter's general Sec. 6-1 penalty. Keeping livestock without zoning authorization violates Sec. 6-7, and running livestock at large under Sec. 6-6 allows impoundment plus the owner paying impoundment costs; both are also declared public nuisances under Sec. 6-8, actionable in equity by an injured neighbor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Roanoke?
How far from my neighbor's house must my chicken coop be?
Can I keep a goat or pig in my Roanoke backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke
How Roanoke compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Roanoke to another location·View the Virginia animal ordinances overview
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