Coop Ready Pennsylvania State College
Allowed with a permit
Yes, with a permit. State College allows backyard hens, but you need a permit first.
One-family homes only. The roofed, secure coop needs 3 sq ft per hen and may not exceed 20 sq ft, an optional run is capped at 10 sq ft per hen, and both must be screened from neighbors by fencing or plants. Slaughter is banned.
Hen limit
4 per one-family home
Roosters
Banned unless the property is 10 acres or more
Permit
Yes: a zoning permit for the hens, coop and run (same fee as a small shed permit)
Coop placement
Coop and run at least 30 ft from any main building on a neighboring lot, plus accessory-structure setbacks
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official State College rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in State College?
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 State College rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in State College
How many chickens can I have in State College?
The hen limit in State College: 4 per one-family home.
Are roosters allowed in State College?
No. State College bans roosters on any property under 10 acres.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in State College?
Yes. State College requires a zoning permit for hens, the coop and any run, at the same fee as a small shed permit.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in State College?
Where the coop can go in State College: coop and run at least 30 ft from any main building on a neighboring lot, plus accessory-structure setbacks.
Can my HOA ban chickens if State College allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
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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 State College before you build.
