Coop Ready Alabama Birmingham
Larger lots only
Zoning allows 6 hens with a backyard coop, but an older city code section bans fowl pens within 100 ft of any dwelling or street, which rules out a typical city lot.
The zoning ordinance allows a backyard coop with up to 6 hens, with the run 10 ft from property lines and 15 ft from neighbors' homes. But the older General Code (Sec. 6-1-112) still bars any fowl pen within 100 ft of a dwelling, church, school, park or street, and it asks for 15 sq ft per bird. Both rules are still on the books, so ask the city before you build.
Hen limit
6 hens under the zoning code
Roosters
Banned in D-1, D-2 and D-3 zones
Permit
No
Coop placement
Pen at least 100 ft from any dwelling, church, school, park or street
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Birmingham rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Birmingham?
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 Birmingham rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Birmingham
How many chickens can I have in Birmingham?
The hen limit in Birmingham: 6 hens under the zoning code.
Are roosters allowed in Birmingham?
No. Birmingham bans roosters (in D-1, D-2 and D-3 zones).
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Birmingham?
No. Birmingham does not require a permit for a typical backyard flock.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Birmingham?
Where the coop can go in Birmingham: pen at least 100 ft from any dwelling, church, school, park or street.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Birmingham allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
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- Georgia chicken laws
- Oregon chicken laws
- Texas chicken laws
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Birmingham before you build.
