Most livestock are prohibited in New York County under NYC Health Code 161.01. Hens are allowed but roosters, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, and horses are barred from private property.
New York County is almost entirely urban and the NYC Health Code reflects that. Section 161.01 prohibits keeping any horse, cow, pig (including pot bellied pigs), goat, sheep, or farm animal as a pet or for agricultural purposes on private property in Manhattan. Carriage horses operating in the Central Park carriage trade are regulated separately under NYC Admin Code 17-326 and may only be stabled at licensed commercial stables on the West Side such as Clinton Park Stables. Female chickens (hens) are allowed under 161.19 without a permit, and urban farming operations in community gardens and rooftop programs through GreenThumb and GrowNYC may keep hens for egg production. Roosters are specifically prohibited under Health Code 161.19 due to noise. Honey bees are allowed with registration as a separate category. Ducks, geese, turkeys, and quail are also prohibited unless kept within licensed commercial zoo or educational facilities. Violations carry 500 dollar to 2,000 dollar fines per animal and generally result in surrender to an animal sanctuary. The NYC live poultry markets, concentrated in Harlem and Chinatown, operate under a separate NYS Agriculture and Markets license and are not subject to the pet ban.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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