Stamford, CT Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- General rule
- Livestock incidental to residential use, any district
- Horses allowed in
- RA-3, RA-2, RA-1 districts only
- Horse density
- 30,000 sq ft lot area per horse
- Manure setback
- 150 ft from street or lot line
- Excluded
- Commercial kennels, veterinary hospitals
Summary
Stamford's Zoning Regulations permit keeping livestock incidental to a residential use in any district, and allow horses specifically in the RA-3, RA-2 and RA-1 one-family estate districts at a minimum of 30,000 square feet of lot area per horse.
Farm Uses may be conducted in any district, without the necessity of obtaining any Special Permit... 2. The keeping of livestock incidental to the domestic establishment of a residential Use of the parcel of land on which such livestock are kept.... 6. In the RA-3, RA-2 and RA-1 districts, the keeping of horses as an Accessory Use shall be permitted, provided there shall be at least 30,000 sq. ft. of Lot Area for each horse aged six months or older... no animals shall be allowed to roam at large.
Full Breakdown
Under the Farm Uses provisions of Section 4 (Use Regulations and Standards), a homeowner anywhere in Stamford may keep livestock incidental to the residential use of the parcel without a Special Permit. In the RA-3, RA-2 and RA-1 low-density residential districts, horses are additionally allowed as an Accessory Use, but only at 30,000 sq. ft. of lot area for each horse six months or older, with manure or fertilizer storage kept at least 150 feet from any street or lot line and no animals permitted to roam at large; commercial kennels and veterinary hospitals are excluded from this allowance. The regulations are current to the May 31, 2026 amendment.
Violations & Fines
The Zoning Enforcement Officer may order remediation, restrain or abate a violation, and pursue action to prevent illegal use of land; penalties follow Conn. Gen. Stat. and City Charter § 248.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens or goats in a Stamford residential yard?
Can I keep a horse on my Stamford property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stamford
How Stamford compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Stamford to another location·View the Connecticut animal ordinances overview
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