1. Manchester, NH
The keeping of backyard chickens in residential areas is permitted in Manchester, New Hampshire. To protect and promote the health of residents, Manchester has some restrictions in place. For starters, a lot that is at least one-half acre in size is required to own chickens. Chickens may be kept in the following residential zoning districts: R-S, R-1A, R-1B, R2, R-SM and R-3. As per the city's Zoning Ordinance, you may keep up to 6 chickens. You may keep hens only, as roosters are prohibited due to noise concerns.
You must not sell eggs or engage in chicken breeding or slaughtering. In other words, you must keep chickens for personal use only, not for commercial purposes. The Manchester Zoning Ordinance requires all hens to be kept in structures and fenced areas. Such structures and fenced areas must be so secure as to prevent the hens from escaping therefrom. In addition, such structures and fenced areas must be located in side or rear yards and at least 20 feet from property lines.
2. Nashua, NH
The City of Nashua allows citizens to keep a limited number of female chickens for personal use on their residential properties. At the same time, Nashua has some rules and regulations in place to preserve the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood. A maximum of 6 hens may be kept on the premises of a single-family or two-family detached dwelling. All hens must be kept in an accessory structure or coop and must be for personal use only. The ordinance prohibits you from selling eggs or engaging in chicken breeding.
3. Concord, NH
If you reside in Concord, New Hampshire, you may keep a limited number of female chickens in your backyard. According to the City's Zoning Board of Adjustment, you may keep up to 5 hens on a lot less than one acre. Hens may be kept for personal use only on the premises of a single-family detached dwelling. "No person shall sell eggs" and the "on-site slaughtering of chickens is prohibited," as stated by the Zoning Board. A henhouse and a fenced area are required for the keeping of backyard chickens. The Zoning Board requires henhouses and fenced areas to be located more than 30 feet from any lot line.
4. Derry, NH
In the Town of Derry, NH, you may keep chickens on any residential lot, regardless of size. However, chickens must be kept in compliance with the terms of the Town's Zoning Ordinance. You must keep your chicken coop and run at least 20 feet from any property line. The keeping of chickens on your premises must not create a public nuisance or health hazard. Fenced-in yards must be so adequate as to prevent the chickens from escaping therefrom.
5. Rochester, NH
The City of Rochester's zoning ordinance allows residents to keep chickens for personal use on their residential properties. However, the zoning ordinance does not allow roosters. You may only keep hens in a coop that must not be within 25 feet of any side or rear property line. The only exception to this setback requirement is if the abutting property owner consents to a reduced setback.
6. Dover, NH
In Dover, New Hampshire, chickens may be kept for personal use on a residential lot containing a one or two-family dwelling. The City's Zoning Code allows no more than 6 chickens (no roosters) per lot. A henhouse must provide each hen kept therein with 3 square feet of floor space. A fenced enclosure yard, on the other hand, must provide each hen kept therein with 20 square feet of floor space. You must keep your henhouse and enclosure 20 feet from any property line.
7. Hudson, NH
Chickens may be kept in any zoning district within the Town of Hudson, New Hampshire, subject to certain conditions. The Town's Zoning Ordinance requires all chicken enclosures to have the ability to withstand all weather conditions. These include rain, snow, extreme winds, extreme cold, or extreme heat. In addition, chicken coops and fenced areas are required to be kept in a manner that will not disturb the use or enjoyment of neighboring lots. Furthermore, chicken coops and fenced areas must be able to protect the birds from rodents and wild or domestic predators.
8. Lebanon, NH
If you reside in Lebanon, New Hampshire, you need to obtain a zoning permit to keep chickens. You can use the city's Online Permit Portal to apply for a permit. The keeping of chickens is permitted for all one and/or two-family dwellings, provided certain standards are met. To begin with, roosters aren't allowed. As per the City's Zoning Ordinance, it's unlawful to keep more than 5 hens on a lot that is one acre or less in size. On lots up to 2 acres, a total of 10 hens may be kept. Chickens may not be kept on a lot with a multi-family dwelling. These standards, however, do not apply to chickens kept in the rural land zoning districts.
9. Keene, NH
Currently, no permit is required to keep backyard chickens in any zoning district within the City of Keene, NH. However, you must comply with all health and safety regulations regarding the keeping of chickens in your zoning district. If you reside in a Rural or Agricultural District, you're not restricted when it comes to raising chickens. But if you live in a Low or Medium Density Zoning District, the number, type, and purpose for which you may keep chickens is restricted.
In Low and Medium Density Zoning Districts, chickens are allowed for personal use only and the number of chickens you can keep is restricted to 6 for lots less than one acre. You can find more information on the city's "Be a Good Chicken Neighbor" page.
10. Hampton, NH
In the Town of Hampton, NH, chickens are allowed as an accessory use, subject to Building Inspector approval. Hampton Zoning Ordinance says chickens may be kept on any lot that:
- Is at least 10,000 square feet in size
- Is located in the RAA, RA, RB, or G zoning district
- Is used for residential purposes
You may keep no more than 8 chickens, all of which must be females. You may sell eggs produced by your chickens but you must not engage in chicken breeding or slaughtering. Your henhouse and fenced area must be located 20 feet from property lines.
