Saratoga Springs, NY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Roosters
- Banned citywide since 5-6-2025
- Hens
- Allowed, no city permit
- "Rooster" defined
- Any adult male chicken
- Only exception
- RR-zone commercial farm
- Enforcement
- Police, animal control officers
Summary
Saratoga Springs prohibits keeping any rooster on any property citywide, effective May 6, 2025, with the code defining a rooster as any adult male chicken. The only exception is a commercial farm or agricultural business in the RR zone. Hens remain permitted.
No person shall keep a rooster at any time on any property in the City of Saratoga Springs, except as part of a commercial farming or agricultural business which is the principal use of the property, which is located in the RR zone, and which is in all respects in conformance with the Unified Development Ordinance. As used in this section, the term "rooster" shall mean any adult male chicken. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or superseding all or any part of City Code Chapter 148, entitled "Noise."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4856340; v41 updated 2026-04-07; through 04-07-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 101, Article VI, Section 101-20, no rooster may be kept anywhere in the city, and the code defines a rooster as any adult male chicken. The lone carve-out is a commercial farming or agricultural business that is the property's principal use, sits in the RR (Rural Residential) zone, and conforms in all respects to the Unified Development Ordinance. Laying hens carry no numeric cap in this section and need no city permit. The City Council added the ban on May 6, 2025; the Police Department and designated animal control officers enforce Chapter 101 through appearance tickets. Chapter 148 noise rules continue to apply to any fowl.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a rooster outside the narrow RR-zone commercial-farm exception violates Section 101-20. The Police Department and animal control officers enforce Chapter 101 through appearance tickets, and Chapter 148 noise penalties remain available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Saratoga Springs?
Are roosters really banned everywhere in the city?
What counts as a rooster under the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Saratoga Springs
How Saratoga Springs compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·New York rules heatmap·Compare Saratoga Springs to another location·View the New York animal ordinances overview
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