Can I keep chickens in Jacksonville, FL?
Yes — Jacksonville allows backyard chickens, up to 15 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited. (656.422, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 15 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop or enclosure required at all times, screened from neighbor view, located in the rear yard; coops over 100 sq ft need a building permit; minimum 3 sq ft per chicken; maximum coop height 6 ft; feed in rodent- and predator-proof containers. Not permitted on duplex, triplex or multifamily lots or in mobile-home and RV parks. Personal use only, no sales. |
| Code section | 656.422 |
Backyard hens are allowed by permit in single-family residential zoning districts, with a one-time $25 permit fee and a required Duval County Extension Office chicken-keeping seminar. Roosters and all other poultry are prohibited. The hen allowance is tiered by lot size and capped at 15.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Jacksonville?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Jacksonville (656.422).
How many chickens can I keep in Jacksonville?
Up to 15 hens. Tiered by lot size: 5 up to 43,560 sq ft; 10 up to 87,120 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Jacksonville?
Yes — Jacksonville requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Jacksonville?
No — roosters are prohibited in Jacksonville.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Jacksonville?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Jacksonville's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Jacksonville?
656.422. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
656.422 — read the official code
“Chickens allowed by permit in certain zoning districts” source
“Up to 1 acre, allowed up to 5 Hens. 1.0 to 2.0 acres, allowed up to 10 Hens. More than 2.0 Acres, allowed up to 15 Hens (maximum allowed).” source
“Up to five (5) chickens may be permitted on each residential lot. If the lot is larger than one (1) acre, five (5) additional chickens may be permitted per each additional 21,780 square feet over one (1) acre. A one-time non-refundable $25 permit fee shall be required. No male chickens/roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, pheasants, quail or any other poultry or fowl may be kept under this program.” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →