Top 10 Cities/Towns That Allow Backyard Chickens in Rhode Island

A flock or hens

In Rhode Island, urban chicken keeping is legal in some cities and illegal in others. The find out whether chickens are permitted in your area, check your local animal ordinance. Alternatively, you may contact your local animal control or municipal clerk's office. Meanwhile, it is legal to own backyard chickens in the Rhode Island cities and towns listed below.

1. Providence, RI

In Providence, RI, hens are permitted but roosters are not. Per Chapter 4, Sec. 4-37.3. of the city's Code of Ordinances, 1 hen is allowed per 800 square feet of total lot area. On any lot, a maximum of 6 hens is allowed. You're required to provide your hens with a henhouse and a fenced outdoor enclosure. The hen house must be predator-resistant, well-ventilated, and provide at least 2 square feet of space per chicken. In addition, the hen house must be kept clean and located at least 20 feet from any dwelling.

2. Pawtucket, RI

Chickens, geese, and ducks are legal to own in Pawtucket, RI. However, the city code requires you to obtain a permit from the Animal Control Officer prior to acquiring the birds. Upon the issuance of the permit, special conditions may be prescribed by the Animal Control Officer.

3. Woonsocket, RI

Urban backyard chicken keeping is now permitted in the City of Woonsocket, RI. As per the City's amended zoning ordinance, chickens are permitted on owner-occupied residential lots. However, this permission does not include the keeping of roosters. No more than 1 hen is permitted per 800 square feet of lot area, with a maximum of 5 hens on any lot. You must provide your hens with a hen house (coop) and a fenced outdoor enclosure, which must be situated at least 15 feet from rear and side property lines and 25 feet from neighbor dwelling units located on abutting lots.

4. Cumberland, RI

The Town of Cumberland allows 5 chickens to be kept for each single-family dwelling unit. However, the Town's municipal code bans the keeping of roosters. It requires that hens be housed in an enclosure located at least 25 feet from the property line.

5. Coventry, RI

In Coventry, RI, the keeping of chickens and ducks for personal use is allowed. The Town's Zoning Code allows up to 6 chickens or ducks per property of less than 1 acre. If your property is greater than 1 acre, you're limited to 25 chickens or ducks. All chickens and ducks must be housed in a coop located at least 25 feet from any property line. Roosters, due to the noise nuisance they tend to create to abutting properties, are required to be kept at least 300 feet from any property line.

6. West Warwick, RI

The Town of West Warwick allows the keeping of backyard chickens in residential districts. Per Chapter 4, Article II, Sec. 4-36. of the Town's municipal code, you may keep no more than 12 hens per lot. The keeping of roosters is strictly prohibited within the Town limits. All hens must be provided with a predator-resistant, well-ventilated hen house and fenced outdoor enclosure.

7. North Kingstown, RI

The Town of North Kingstown allows a maximum of 6 chickens per acre of land, with a maximum of 12, provided certain conditions are followed. According to the Town's Zoning Code, you must not keep any rooster without obtaining a special use permit. You don't need a permit if you intend to keep hens only. Your henhouse and fenced outdoor enclosure may be located in the back or side yard. You must keep them clean and at least 20 feet from any dwelling.

8. Newport, RI

In the City of Newport, RI, you may own backyard chickens in any residential zone. The City's Zoning Code allows a maximum of 6 chickens for any residential lot. You may not keep any rooster, slaughter hens, or sell hens or eggs produced by your hens. In other words, you must not keep chickens for commercial purposes in a residential zone. Furthermore, you must not allow your hens to roam freely on or off your property, other than in approved enclosures.

9. Bristol, RI

In Bristol, RI, you may keep chickens in your backyard as long as they're registered with the town police department/division of animal control. Registration information your contact details, the location where the chickens are housed, and the number of, and type of, chickens kept. The Town's municipal code requires chicken coops the be kept clean at all times.

10. Burrillville, RI

Single-family residential homes and multifamily residential dwellings of two units in Burrillville, RI, are permitted to have backyard chickens. However, the keeping of chickens isn't permitted for multifamily residential dwellings of more than two units, according to the Town Code. On properties of up to 0.49 acres, no more than 6 hens may be kept. A maximum of 12 Hens may be kept on a property of 0.50 to 0.99 acres. On a property of 1 to 2.99 acres, up to 24 hens are permitted. The keeping of up to 60 hens and roosters is allowed on properties 4 to 4.99 acres.

Previous Post Next Post

Contact Form