Albany, NY Chicken Laws: Hens, Roosters, Permit

Coop Ready New York Albany

Allowed with a permit

Yes, with a permit. Albany allows backyard hens, but you need a permit first.

Total coop and run area max 150 sq ft and 7 ft tall, at least 4 sq ft of coop per hen and 8 sq ft of run; a coop over 80 sq ft also needs a building permit. One license per parcel, and no outdoor slaughter.

Hen limit

Up to 6: 200 sq ft of open lot for 2 hens plus 100 sq ft for each extra hen

Roosters

Banned

Permit

Yes: a City Clerk license, $25 to apply and $25 a year; only 80 licenses citywide

Coop placement

Coop and run at least 25 ft from any occupied home on an adjoining lot (a neighbor can waive this in writing). Not in front of the house or a street-facing side wall.

Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.

Read the official Albany rules ↗ Checked October 2026.

Will your coop fit in Albany?

Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Albany rules above. Free, no account.

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Backyard chicken questions in Albany

How many chickens can I have in Albany?

The hen limit in Albany: up to 6: 200 sq ft of open lot for 2 hens plus 100 sq ft for each extra hen.

Are roosters allowed in Albany?

No. Albany bans roosters.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Albany?

Yes. Albany requires a City Clerk license costing $25 to apply and $25 a year, and only 80 are issued citywide.

How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Albany?

Where the coop can go in Albany: coop and run at least 25 ft from any occupied home on an adjoining lot (a neighbor can waive this in writing). Not in front of the house or a street-facing side wall.