Can I keep chickens in Woonsocket, RI?
Yes, with conditions — Woonsocket allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 5 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Zoning Appendix C Sec. 15.8-3 (Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping); Use Table item 13 S in R-1, R-2, R-3 (Ch. 8558 enacted 3-3-2025), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Rear yard only; covered, predator-resistant, min 2 sq ft per hen; permeable surface; not on shared fence; fenced outdoor enclosure required; hens confined 9 PM to 8 AM; manure in enclosed bins; no slaughter within city limits; owner-occupied lots only |
| Code section | Zoning Appendix C Sec. 15.8-3 (Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping); Use Table item 13 S in R-1, R-2, R-3 (Ch. 8558 enacted 3-3-2025) |
Woonsocket requires a Special Use Permit for backyard chicken keeping in R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones only. Maximum 5 hens, 1 per 800 sq ft, rear yard only, coop 20 ft from all property lines. Roosters and on-site slaughter are prohibited. Enacted March 3, 2025.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Woonsocket?
Yes, with conditions — Woonsocket allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Zoning Appendix C Sec. 15.8-3 (Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping); Use Table item 13 S in R-1, R-2, R-3 (Ch. 8558 enacted 3-3-2025)).
How many chickens can I keep in Woonsocket?
Up to 5 hens. 1 hen per 800 sq ft of lot area, max 5. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Woonsocket?
Yes — Woonsocket requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Woonsocket?
No — roosters are prohibited in Woonsocket.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Woonsocket?
20 feet minimum. Rear yard only; covered, predator-resistant, min 2 sq ft per hen; permeable surface; not on shared fence; fenced outdoor enclosure required; hens confined 9 PM to 8 AM; manure in enclosed bins; no slaughter within city limits; owner-occupied lots only
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Woonsocket?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Woonsocket's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Woonsocket?
Zoning Appendix C Sec. 15.8-3 (Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping); Use Table item 13 S in R-1, R-2, R-3 (Ch. 8558 enacted 3-3-2025). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Zoning Appendix C Sec. 15.8-3 (Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping); Use Table item 13 S in R-1, R-2, R-3 (Ch. 8558 enacted 3-3-2025) — read the official code
“15.8-3. Special Permit Criteria for Backyard Chicken Keeping. (3) There shall be no more than one (1) hen per eight hundred (800) square feet of total lot area, with a maximum of five (5) hens on any one (1) lot ... (5)(g) be situated at least twenty (20) feet from all property lines ... (13) Chickens shall not be slaughtered within City limits. (Ch. 8558, Sec. 16, 3-3-2025)” source
“13. Backyard Chicken Keeping — S [R-1] S [R-2] S [R-3] NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP NP” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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