Jefferson County, AL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Resolution § 1209
- Roosters
- Strictly prohibited in residential districts
- Hen limit (≤6,000 sq ft lot)
- Maximum 2 hens
- Hen limit (larger lots)
- 1 hen per additional 3,000 sq ft
- Coop size/height
- Max 80 sq ft, max 6 feet tall
- Coop setback
- 35 ft from lines, 50 ft from neighbor's house
Summary
Unincorporated Jefferson County allows backyard hens but bans roosters outright. Zoning Resolution Section 1209 caps flock size by lot area, requires a predator-proof coop set back 35 feet from property lines and 50 feet from a neighbor's house, and treats keeping roosters at a single-family home as strictly prohibited.
The keeping of hens is allowed as an accessory use to single family detached residences in residential zoning classifications. However, the keeping of roosters as an accessory use to single family detached residences in residential zoning classifications is strictly prohibited. The number of hens allowed is restricted as follows: a. A maximum of two (2) hens can be kept on residential properties containing 6,000 square feet or less. b. For properties containing more than 6,000 square feet, one (1) hen shall be allowed for every 3,000 square feet of property. c. An enclosed predator-proof coop/run shall be provided in rear yards... with the total area being no more than 80 square feet, no more than six feet tall, setback a minimum of 35 feet from property lines and 50 feet from residential structures on adjacent lots.
Full Breakdown
Section 1209 of the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Regulations Pertaining to Livestock and Poultry, allows hen-keeping as an accessory use to single-family detached residences in residential zoning classifications, but draws a hard line at roosters: keeping roosters as an accessory use at a single-family home in a residential district is strictly prohibited, regardless of flock size. Hen numbers scale with lot size rather than a flat cap, a property of 6,000 square feet or less may keep no more than two hens, while a larger lot gets one additional hen for every 3,000 square feet beyond that.
Housing is regulated in detail: the coop and run must be enclosed and predator-proof, built of new or sound metal or wood treated against decay, properly ventilated, and kept clean, dry and free of nuisance odor or noise that would disturb neighboring lots. The structure is size- and placement-limited, no more than 80 square feet total, no taller than six feet, and set back at least 35 feet from any property line and 50 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent lot. Section 1209 also requires daily upkeep: manure must not accumulate, the coop must be cleaned and treated against red mites, hens must have a dust bath, and feed must be stored in the residence or a sealed weather-resistant container and removed from the run each day. 03's citation, misdemeanor and injunction process.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a rooster, exceeding the lot-based hen limit, or running an undersized, too-tall or too-close coop violates Section 1209 of the Zoning Resolution. A coop that is not maintained in sound, decay-free condition is a violation in its own right. All of these are enforced under Section 1901.03: written notice to cease and desist comes first, continued noncompliance is a Class B misdemeanor with each day a separate offense, and the County Commission may seek injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in unincorporated Jefferson County?
How many hens am I allowed?
How far from my property line does the coop have to be?
What coop conditions can get me cited?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
How Jefferson County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Alabama animal ordinances overview
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