But What About The Rest of Virginia??
That was a question posed to me by a Council Member who recently visited our little urban homestead. Here I had handed him a page full of laws from all areas of the country, but "what about Virginia," what about the other localities in Virginia.
Per that request, I got to researching it. There is a LOT of codes and ordinances to go through while trying to gather this information, so please bear with me while I continue to add to the list.
Per that request, I got to researching it. There is a LOT of codes and ordinances to go through while trying to gather this information, so please bear with me while I continue to add to the list.
*If a locality is listed but nothing is written beside it, they allow chickens*
Alexandria, VA. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept within the city, within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by such person, any fowl.
Richmond City, VA. No person shall keep, place or maintain fowl on any parcel of real property in the city which contains less than 50,000 square feet in area.
Richmond, VA. Can only keep chickens if your lot is 50,000 square feet or larger.
Radford - allowed
Abingdon - nothing forbidding keeping of chickens
Alexandria - same
Blackstone - ARTICLE III. LIVESTOCK AND FOWL
Sec. 14-51. Keeping hogs; livestock and fowl running at-large. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a hog within the town. (b) It shall be unlawful for livestock to run at-large or graze on any unenclosed property of the town. (c) It shall be unlawful for chickens or other fowl to run at-large within the corporate limits.
Cape Charles - nothing forbidding
Charlottesville - Sec. 4-8. Fowl at large. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or other fowl belonging to him to go at large in the city; except, that homing pigeons may be released for return to their cote without violating this section.
Chesapeake - Livestock, domestic. Animals normally raised on a farm, or as part of commercial agricultural or animal husbandry operation, or normally used for purposes related to agricultural production or commerce, wildlife farms and rehabilitation facilities. Livestock, including animal breeds derived from livestock, shall not be deemed to be pets and may not be maintained as an accessory to a residential use unless specifically permitted under this zoning ordinance. Livestock shall be divided into two (2) groups: (1) Large animals--including horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and similar breeds. (2) Small animals--including chickens, except as provided for in the definition of pet, turkeys, and other types of fowl, rabbits, except as provided for in the definition of pet, fish, except as provided for in the definition of pet, and breeds similar to those listed as small animals. For the purpose of this ordinance, the limitations set out in other sections of this ordinance on the number of animals per acre shall apply only to large animals.
Culpeper - Sec. 3-10. Cleanliness of stables, kennels, etc. (a) All cow stables, chicken houses, dog houses or kennels or other facilities for keeping livestock, fowl, poultry or dogs, kept of maintained within the town, shall, in addition to any town, county or state requirement now existing or hereafter enacted, be under the supervision and regulations of the county health department. Such stables, etc., shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition for the protection of health, and shall be kept so as not to give rise to objectionable odors upon any public highway or upon any premises owned or occupied by any person other than the person maintaining such stables or other facilities. (b) Any person, having been given notice in writing by the county health department to correct any conditions called to his attention by the county health department, shall correct such condition within ten (10) days from the receipt of such written notice. (Ord. of 4-14-81, § 3-12)
Damascus - Sec. 10-11. Wholesale poultry yards. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a wholesale poultry yard, wherein quantities of fowl of any and all descriptions are gathered and kept for call or shipment, within 80 feet of any place of human abode within the town. (Code 1975, § 5-12)
Dumfries - Sec. 10-3. Keeping certain animals on less than two acres. It shall be unlawful for any person within the town to keep livestock, fowl and animals ferae naturae on any lot not less than two acres in area; provided that, such minimum area shall not be deemed to limit the keeping of rabbits, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs and other similar animals, or birds for personal use or enjoyment, when such animals are not kept for sale or other commercial purpose, and further provided that such animals or birds are confined to the interior of the dwelling or other permitted accessory building not designed for the primary purpose of keeping such animals or birds. (Code 1990, § 3-3)
Sec. 10-4. Maintenance of pens, coops and other enclosures. Each person owning or having the custody or control of an animal or fowl within the town shall provide therefor a suitable pen, coop or other enclosure or place of habitation, and it shall be his duty to maintain such place at all times in a safe, clean and sanitary condition, free of excrement and other unsanitary or offensive substances, liquids or odors, and so as not to constitute a hazard to the health or safety of any person or to become a nuisance. (Code 1990, § 3-4) State law references: Nuisance birds, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-1011 et seq.; local abatement of nuisances, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1115.
Emporia - (only mention) Sec. 10-1. Running at large. It shall be unlawful for the owner or other person in charge to permit any horse, cow, mule, sheep, goat, hog or other livestock, or any chicken, goose, duck, turkey or other fowl of which he is the owner or in charge, to run at large within the city. (Code 1972, § 3-1) State law references: Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.1-870.
Farmville - Sec. 5-2. Definition. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Livestock includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals; equine animals, ovine animals; porcine animals, cervidae animals, capradae animals; animals of the genus Lama; ratites; fish or shellfish in aquaculture facilities, as defined in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-73.6; enclosed domesticated rabbits or hares raised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal specifically raised for food or fiber, except companion animals. Poultry includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.
Franklin - ARTICLE III. R-O ONE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT USE REGULATIONS
Sec. 3.1 Purpose of the district. The purpose of residential district, R-O, is to provide for low density, single-family, detached residential development and related uses, including those public and semi-public uses and accessory uses as may be necessary or are normally compatible with residential surroundings.
Sec. 3.2 Permitted principal uses. (d) Truck garden, orchard, or nursery for growing or propagation of plants, trees and shrubs, including temporary stands for seasonal sale of products raised on the premises and gardening and general farming not including commercial chicken farms, hog farms, fur farms or the raising of other creatures to such an extent as to be objectionable to surrounding residents. No retail or wholesale business office or store may be operated in this district. (Ord. No. 6-12-2000(2); Ord. of 4-28-2002(3))
Glade Spring, VA - Sec. 10-2. Livestock and fowl; running at large. No person shall permit fowl or livestock owned, harbored or under the control of such person to run at large in the town. Livestock going to or from pasture shall not be deemed to be running at large if attended by the owner or the person furnishing pasture or his employee. (Code 1977, §§ 3-2, 3-3) Cross references: Streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 46. State law references: Authority to regulate animals running at large, Code of Virginia, § 15.1-870.
Hampton - Sec. 5-24. Location and maintenance of poultry and animal yards generally. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain in the city any poultry or animal yard within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of any buildings used for residential purposes or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any church or school building; provided, however, that the person maintaining such yard may do so within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of such person's own personal residence, and further provided, that this subsection shall not apply to the keeping of pigeons. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "poultry or animal yard" shall include every yard, pasture, enclosure, shed or structure used to house: (1) Live fowl, including in the term "fowl," chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry, except as provided otherwise herein; or (2) One (1) or more of the following animals: Cattle, horses, sheep, goats or other domestic animals, other than dogs or cats. (c) Every person maintaining a poultry or animal yard shall keep the same clean and sanitary and free from all refuse, decaying food and excrement. (d) Every poultry or animal yard, except when located in an area zoned agricultural under any existing zoning ordinances,* shall be adequately enclosed and free from any rodents. The presence of any rodent in any poultry or animal yard shall be prima facie evidence that such yard is maintained in violation of this section. Cross references: Zoning ordinance, App. A. (e) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to authorize the keeping of animals of any kind at any place, irrespective of distance from any building, when the keeping of such animals is prohibited by any other ordinance. Conversely, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the keeping of animals of any kind at any place, irrespective of distance from any building, when the keeping of such animals is permitted by any other ordinance. (Ord. No. 735, § 4-9, 11-10-82; Ord. No. 1437, 11-15-06; Ord. No. 08-0015, 9-24-08)
Sec. 5-25. Maintenance of premises where fowl are kept. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any building or any other premises in or on which chickens or other domestic fowl are kept to become a nuisance by reason of any offensive odors or unsanitary conditions. (Ord. No. 735, § 4-10, 11-10-82; Ord. No. 1437, 11-15-06; Ord. No. 08-0015, 9-24-08)
Harrisonburg
Haymarket
Herndon - Sec. 6-3. Keeping of fowl. (a) It is prohibited and unlawful to keep in the town more than one female fowl, or more than one female water fowl, or any male fowl, or any male water fowl, or any guinea fowl. (b) "Fowl" means any domesticated gallinaceous bird, including chickens, or roosters, or both. "Water fowl" means any domesticated duck, goose, or swan. (c) It is prohibited and unlawful to allow or cause any fowl or water fowl to run at large in the Town. "To run at large" means to roam, run or self-hunt off the property of the owner or custodian of a fowl or water fowl and not under such owner's or custodian's immediate control. (d) A structure used for confining, accommodating, or sheltering fowl or water fowl may be located no closer than ten feet from any lot line. (e) Violation of this section constitutes a class 3 misdemeanor.
Hopewell
Lawrenceville
Leesburg - Sec. 4-3. Confinement and keeping of fowl. The owner or custodian of any fowl shall keep such fowl confined to his own premises. No person shall keep any roosters in any area in town that is located in a residential subdivision. (Code 1963, § 3-2; Code 1976, § 4-3; Ord. No. 78-0-2, § 1, 1-11-1978; Ord. No. 2009-O-009, § V(Att. A), 6-23-2009) State law references: Authority to prohibit running at large of fowl, Code of Virginia, § 3.2-6544.
Luray
Manassas - allowed with permit from Chief of Police
Mount Jackson - Sec. 10-3. Poultry, fowl, and livestock to be confined upon premises of owners in secure and sanitary manner. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any fowl, poultry, or livestock of any description to stray to public property or private premises of another. All poultry, fowl, and livestock shall be sufficiently housed or fenced by the owner or person exercising control over such poultry, fowl, or livestock so as to prevent the same from trespassing or straying from the premises of the owner or person exercising control thereover. The housing and fencing of such fowl, poultry, and livestock of every description shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition for the protection of health and shall be so kept as not to give rise to objectionable odors upon any public highway or street or upon any premises owned or occupied by any person other than the person maintaining such fowl or livestock.
New Market - Sec. 14-2. Fowl running at large. It shall be unlawful for any chicken, duck, guinea, goose or any type of fowl to run at large within the town, and any person owning or having custody of such fowls who permits them to run at large within the town shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor for each offense.
Norfolk - Sec. 6.1-7. Keeping of certain animals within the city. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep in any building or on any premises within the limits of the city any livestock or poultry without a permit issued by the director of public health. Such permit shall designate the location at which said animals shall be kept and the number of animals to be kept at said location. (b) It shall be unlawful for the owner or any person having charge or control of any livestock or poultry to permit said animals to be at large within the limits of the city. (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to slaughterhouses lawfully operating within the city, authorized shows or exhibits, except regarding strays from the above-listed operations, licensed kennels, veterinarians, animal shelters or humane societies, licensed temporary exhibits, licensed pet shops or licensed/authorized training facilities. No other exceptions or exemptions to this section are authorized. (Ord. No. 39,717, § 2, 8-31-99)
Norton - Sec. 4-6.1. Keeping of animals and fowl. (a) No person shall keep any animal or fowl within the limits of the city except in accordance with this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "keep" or "keeping" shall mean to regularly maintain, tend, harbor, feed or provide shelter for an animal or fowl. (c) This section shall not apply to dogs or cats, nor shall it apply to animals or fowl being kept for immediate shipment and slaughter for less than thirty-six (36) hours, animals or fowl kept in such person's dwelling, or animals or fowl permitted by the city council or its designee as set forth herein. (d) The owner of any animal or fowl otherwise subject to this section may apply to the city council or its designee for a permit to keep such animal or fowl. If the city council or its designee is satisfied that the keeping of such animal or fowl, including but not limited to the provisions for its confinement and care, will not have a serious adverse impact on the health and safety of the city or its residents, city council or its designee may issue a revocable permit allowing the applicant to keep such animal or fowl. (The city manager shall be council's designee.) (e) The owner of any exotic or poisonous animal or fowl found running at large shall pay a fee equal to the city's actual cost in locating and capturing or otherwise disposing of such animal or fowl. (f) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor for each such violation. In the case of continuing violations, each day during the continuance of such violation shall constitute a separate offense for the purpose of this section.
Petersburg - Sec. 18-62. Keeping of fowl and pigeons. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept, on premises owned by him or under or subject to his control, any kind of domestic fowl or pigeons within 30 feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assemblage, whether such structure is in the same or an adjacent block or square. (b) No domestic fowl or pigeons shall be kept within the city by any person otherwise than in compliance with the following conditions: (1) A house or shelter shall be provided in any enclosure in which such fowl or pigeons are kept. (2) Such house or shelter shall be kept dry and well-ventilated and shall be cleaned at least once a week, between November 1 and May 1, and at least twice a week, between May 1 and November 1, of each year, and oftener if ordered by the health director. (3) Drinking fountains or troughs shall be kept clean and supplied with clean water. (4) The surface of the yard shall be kept clean and free from all decaying animal or vegetable matter or odors. (5) All enclosures shall be so constructed as to keep the fowl or pigeons secure from dogs. (6) The number of domestic fowl kept on any premises in the city shall not exceed 20, except in areas zoned agricultural. (c) Nothing in this section shall apply to fowl or pigeons confined in coops in provision stores or stores regularly established for the sale of fowl or pigeons or which are brought upon the premises and kept for a brief period for dressing and consumption. (Code 1981, § 6-7) Secs. 18-63--18-90. Reserved Poquoson
Portsmouth
Pulaski
Purcellville
Radford
South Boston
Tappahannock
Tazewell
Vinton - Vinton now allows chickens! Here is the story on it from The Roanoke Times: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/282418
Warrenton
Waynesboro - Sec. 14-9. Fowl to be kept in confinement. Every owner of fowl of any description shall confine them so as to prevent their straying to the premises of others. (Code 1964, § 3-6)
West Point
Williamsburg - Livestock shall mean cattle, sheep, goats, swine and enclosed domesticated rabbits or hares. Poultry shall mean all domesticated fowl and game birds raised in captivity. Sec. 4-3. Keeping certain animals within city. It shall be unlawful unless otherwise allowed by Chapter 21, Zoning, or unless allowed by temporary permit issued under section 4-16 of this article for any person to keep any livestock, horse, mule, oxen, or cow within the corporate limits of the city. (Code 1975, § 5-3; Ord. No. 29-95, 11-9-95)
Woodstock
Wytheville
Alexandria, VA. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or allow to be kept within the city, within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by such person, any fowl.
Richmond City, VA. No person shall keep, place or maintain fowl on any parcel of real property in the city which contains less than 50,000 square feet in area.
Richmond, VA. Can only keep chickens if your lot is 50,000 square feet or larger.
Radford - allowed
Abingdon - nothing forbidding keeping of chickens
Alexandria - same
Blackstone - ARTICLE III. LIVESTOCK AND FOWL
Sec. 14-51. Keeping hogs; livestock and fowl running at-large. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep a hog within the town. (b) It shall be unlawful for livestock to run at-large or graze on any unenclosed property of the town. (c) It shall be unlawful for chickens or other fowl to run at-large within the corporate limits.
Cape Charles - nothing forbidding
Charlottesville - Sec. 4-8. Fowl at large. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or other fowl belonging to him to go at large in the city; except, that homing pigeons may be released for return to their cote without violating this section.
Chesapeake - Livestock, domestic. Animals normally raised on a farm, or as part of commercial agricultural or animal husbandry operation, or normally used for purposes related to agricultural production or commerce, wildlife farms and rehabilitation facilities. Livestock, including animal breeds derived from livestock, shall not be deemed to be pets and may not be maintained as an accessory to a residential use unless specifically permitted under this zoning ordinance. Livestock shall be divided into two (2) groups: (1) Large animals--including horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, cattle, swine, goats, sheep, and similar breeds. (2) Small animals--including chickens, except as provided for in the definition of pet, turkeys, and other types of fowl, rabbits, except as provided for in the definition of pet, fish, except as provided for in the definition of pet, and breeds similar to those listed as small animals. For the purpose of this ordinance, the limitations set out in other sections of this ordinance on the number of animals per acre shall apply only to large animals.
Culpeper - Sec. 3-10. Cleanliness of stables, kennels, etc. (a) All cow stables, chicken houses, dog houses or kennels or other facilities for keeping livestock, fowl, poultry or dogs, kept of maintained within the town, shall, in addition to any town, county or state requirement now existing or hereafter enacted, be under the supervision and regulations of the county health department. Such stables, etc., shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition for the protection of health, and shall be kept so as not to give rise to objectionable odors upon any public highway or upon any premises owned or occupied by any person other than the person maintaining such stables or other facilities. (b) Any person, having been given notice in writing by the county health department to correct any conditions called to his attention by the county health department, shall correct such condition within ten (10) days from the receipt of such written notice. (Ord. of 4-14-81, § 3-12)
Damascus - Sec. 10-11. Wholesale poultry yards. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a wholesale poultry yard, wherein quantities of fowl of any and all descriptions are gathered and kept for call or shipment, within 80 feet of any place of human abode within the town. (Code 1975, § 5-12)
Dumfries - Sec. 10-3. Keeping certain animals on less than two acres. It shall be unlawful for any person within the town to keep livestock, fowl and animals ferae naturae on any lot not less than two acres in area; provided that, such minimum area shall not be deemed to limit the keeping of rabbits, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs and other similar animals, or birds for personal use or enjoyment, when such animals are not kept for sale or other commercial purpose, and further provided that such animals or birds are confined to the interior of the dwelling or other permitted accessory building not designed for the primary purpose of keeping such animals or birds. (Code 1990, § 3-3)
Sec. 10-4. Maintenance of pens, coops and other enclosures. Each person owning or having the custody or control of an animal or fowl within the town shall provide therefor a suitable pen, coop or other enclosure or place of habitation, and it shall be his duty to maintain such place at all times in a safe, clean and sanitary condition, free of excrement and other unsanitary or offensive substances, liquids or odors, and so as not to constitute a hazard to the health or safety of any person or to become a nuisance. (Code 1990, § 3-4) State law references: Nuisance birds, Code of Virginia, § 3.1-1011 et seq.; local abatement of nuisances, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1115.
Emporia - (only mention) Sec. 10-1. Running at large. It shall be unlawful for the owner or other person in charge to permit any horse, cow, mule, sheep, goat, hog or other livestock, or any chicken, goose, duck, turkey or other fowl of which he is the owner or in charge, to run at large within the city. (Code 1972, § 3-1) State law references: Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 15.1-870.
Farmville - Sec. 5-2. Definition. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Livestock includes all domestic or domesticated bovine animals; equine animals, ovine animals; porcine animals, cervidae animals, capradae animals; animals of the genus Lama; ratites; fish or shellfish in aquaculture facilities, as defined in Code of Virginia, § 3.1-73.6; enclosed domesticated rabbits or hares raised for human food or fiber; or any other individual animal specifically raised for food or fiber, except companion animals. Poultry includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.
Franklin - ARTICLE III. R-O ONE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT USE REGULATIONS
Sec. 3.1 Purpose of the district. The purpose of residential district, R-O, is to provide for low density, single-family, detached residential development and related uses, including those public and semi-public uses and accessory uses as may be necessary or are normally compatible with residential surroundings.
Sec. 3.2 Permitted principal uses. (d) Truck garden, orchard, or nursery for growing or propagation of plants, trees and shrubs, including temporary stands for seasonal sale of products raised on the premises and gardening and general farming not including commercial chicken farms, hog farms, fur farms or the raising of other creatures to such an extent as to be objectionable to surrounding residents. No retail or wholesale business office or store may be operated in this district. (Ord. No. 6-12-2000(2); Ord. of 4-28-2002(3))
Glade Spring, VA - Sec. 10-2. Livestock and fowl; running at large. No person shall permit fowl or livestock owned, harbored or under the control of such person to run at large in the town. Livestock going to or from pasture shall not be deemed to be running at large if attended by the owner or the person furnishing pasture or his employee. (Code 1977, §§ 3-2, 3-3) Cross references: Streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 46. State law references: Authority to regulate animals running at large, Code of Virginia, § 15.1-870.
Hampton - Sec. 5-24. Location and maintenance of poultry and animal yards generally. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain in the city any poultry or animal yard within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of any buildings used for residential purposes or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any church or school building; provided, however, that the person maintaining such yard may do so within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of such person's own personal residence, and further provided, that this subsection shall not apply to the keeping of pigeons. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "poultry or animal yard" shall include every yard, pasture, enclosure, shed or structure used to house: (1) Live fowl, including in the term "fowl," chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry, except as provided otherwise herein; or (2) One (1) or more of the following animals: Cattle, horses, sheep, goats or other domestic animals, other than dogs or cats. (c) Every person maintaining a poultry or animal yard shall keep the same clean and sanitary and free from all refuse, decaying food and excrement. (d) Every poultry or animal yard, except when located in an area zoned agricultural under any existing zoning ordinances,* shall be adequately enclosed and free from any rodents. The presence of any rodent in any poultry or animal yard shall be prima facie evidence that such yard is maintained in violation of this section. Cross references: Zoning ordinance, App. A. (e) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to authorize the keeping of animals of any kind at any place, irrespective of distance from any building, when the keeping of such animals is prohibited by any other ordinance. Conversely, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the keeping of animals of any kind at any place, irrespective of distance from any building, when the keeping of such animals is permitted by any other ordinance. (Ord. No. 735, § 4-9, 11-10-82; Ord. No. 1437, 11-15-06; Ord. No. 08-0015, 9-24-08)
Sec. 5-25. Maintenance of premises where fowl are kept. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any building or any other premises in or on which chickens or other domestic fowl are kept to become a nuisance by reason of any offensive odors or unsanitary conditions. (Ord. No. 735, § 4-10, 11-10-82; Ord. No. 1437, 11-15-06; Ord. No. 08-0015, 9-24-08)
Harrisonburg
Haymarket
Herndon - Sec. 6-3. Keeping of fowl. (a) It is prohibited and unlawful to keep in the town more than one female fowl, or more than one female water fowl, or any male fowl, or any male water fowl, or any guinea fowl. (b) "Fowl" means any domesticated gallinaceous bird, including chickens, or roosters, or both. "Water fowl" means any domesticated duck, goose, or swan. (c) It is prohibited and unlawful to allow or cause any fowl or water fowl to run at large in the Town. "To run at large" means to roam, run or self-hunt off the property of the owner or custodian of a fowl or water fowl and not under such owner's or custodian's immediate control. (d) A structure used for confining, accommodating, or sheltering fowl or water fowl may be located no closer than ten feet from any lot line. (e) Violation of this section constitutes a class 3 misdemeanor.
Hopewell
Lawrenceville
Leesburg - Sec. 4-3. Confinement and keeping of fowl. The owner or custodian of any fowl shall keep such fowl confined to his own premises. No person shall keep any roosters in any area in town that is located in a residential subdivision. (Code 1963, § 3-2; Code 1976, § 4-3; Ord. No. 78-0-2, § 1, 1-11-1978; Ord. No. 2009-O-009, § V(Att. A), 6-23-2009) State law references: Authority to prohibit running at large of fowl, Code of Virginia, § 3.2-6544.
Luray
Manassas - allowed with permit from Chief of Police
Mount Jackson - Sec. 10-3. Poultry, fowl, and livestock to be confined upon premises of owners in secure and sanitary manner. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow any fowl, poultry, or livestock of any description to stray to public property or private premises of another. All poultry, fowl, and livestock shall be sufficiently housed or fenced by the owner or person exercising control over such poultry, fowl, or livestock so as to prevent the same from trespassing or straying from the premises of the owner or person exercising control thereover. The housing and fencing of such fowl, poultry, and livestock of every description shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition for the protection of health and shall be so kept as not to give rise to objectionable odors upon any public highway or street or upon any premises owned or occupied by any person other than the person maintaining such fowl or livestock.
New Market - Sec. 14-2. Fowl running at large. It shall be unlawful for any chicken, duck, guinea, goose or any type of fowl to run at large within the town, and any person owning or having custody of such fowls who permits them to run at large within the town shall be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor for each offense.
Norfolk - Sec. 6.1-7. Keeping of certain animals within the city. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep in any building or on any premises within the limits of the city any livestock or poultry without a permit issued by the director of public health. Such permit shall designate the location at which said animals shall be kept and the number of animals to be kept at said location. (b) It shall be unlawful for the owner or any person having charge or control of any livestock or poultry to permit said animals to be at large within the limits of the city. (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to slaughterhouses lawfully operating within the city, authorized shows or exhibits, except regarding strays from the above-listed operations, licensed kennels, veterinarians, animal shelters or humane societies, licensed temporary exhibits, licensed pet shops or licensed/authorized training facilities. No other exceptions or exemptions to this section are authorized. (Ord. No. 39,717, § 2, 8-31-99)
Norton - Sec. 4-6.1. Keeping of animals and fowl. (a) No person shall keep any animal or fowl within the limits of the city except in accordance with this section. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "keep" or "keeping" shall mean to regularly maintain, tend, harbor, feed or provide shelter for an animal or fowl. (c) This section shall not apply to dogs or cats, nor shall it apply to animals or fowl being kept for immediate shipment and slaughter for less than thirty-six (36) hours, animals or fowl kept in such person's dwelling, or animals or fowl permitted by the city council or its designee as set forth herein. (d) The owner of any animal or fowl otherwise subject to this section may apply to the city council or its designee for a permit to keep such animal or fowl. If the city council or its designee is satisfied that the keeping of such animal or fowl, including but not limited to the provisions for its confinement and care, will not have a serious adverse impact on the health and safety of the city or its residents, city council or its designee may issue a revocable permit allowing the applicant to keep such animal or fowl. (The city manager shall be council's designee.) (e) The owner of any exotic or poisonous animal or fowl found running at large shall pay a fee equal to the city's actual cost in locating and capturing or otherwise disposing of such animal or fowl. (f) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor for each such violation. In the case of continuing violations, each day during the continuance of such violation shall constitute a separate offense for the purpose of this section.
Petersburg - Sec. 18-62. Keeping of fowl and pigeons. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or cause to be kept, on premises owned by him or under or subject to his control, any kind of domestic fowl or pigeons within 30 feet of any structure owned by another and used for human habitation, occupation or assemblage, whether such structure is in the same or an adjacent block or square. (b) No domestic fowl or pigeons shall be kept within the city by any person otherwise than in compliance with the following conditions: (1) A house or shelter shall be provided in any enclosure in which such fowl or pigeons are kept. (2) Such house or shelter shall be kept dry and well-ventilated and shall be cleaned at least once a week, between November 1 and May 1, and at least twice a week, between May 1 and November 1, of each year, and oftener if ordered by the health director. (3) Drinking fountains or troughs shall be kept clean and supplied with clean water. (4) The surface of the yard shall be kept clean and free from all decaying animal or vegetable matter or odors. (5) All enclosures shall be so constructed as to keep the fowl or pigeons secure from dogs. (6) The number of domestic fowl kept on any premises in the city shall not exceed 20, except in areas zoned agricultural. (c) Nothing in this section shall apply to fowl or pigeons confined in coops in provision stores or stores regularly established for the sale of fowl or pigeons or which are brought upon the premises and kept for a brief period for dressing and consumption. (Code 1981, § 6-7) Secs. 18-63--18-90. Reserved Poquoson
Portsmouth
Pulaski
Purcellville
Radford
South Boston
Tappahannock
Tazewell
Vinton - Vinton now allows chickens! Here is the story on it from The Roanoke Times: http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/282418
Warrenton
Waynesboro - Sec. 14-9. Fowl to be kept in confinement. Every owner of fowl of any description shall confine them so as to prevent their straying to the premises of others. (Code 1964, § 3-6)
West Point
Williamsburg - Livestock shall mean cattle, sheep, goats, swine and enclosed domesticated rabbits or hares. Poultry shall mean all domesticated fowl and game birds raised in captivity. Sec. 4-3. Keeping certain animals within city. It shall be unlawful unless otherwise allowed by Chapter 21, Zoning, or unless allowed by temporary permit issued under section 4-16 of this article for any person to keep any livestock, horse, mule, oxen, or cow within the corporate limits of the city. (Code 1975, § 5-3; Ord. No. 29-95, 11-9-95)
Woodstock
Wytheville