1. Burlington, VT
The City of Burlington allows chickens to be kept for both personal and commercial purposes. However, chicken owners must comply with all applicable federal, state, and city regulations. Before keeping any chickens, the city code requires that you file a complete annual registration form with the health officer. Following that, you will be issued a certificate of registration by the health officer. A registration fee of $25 applies to the keeping of 5 or more chickens. Roosters are prohibited in the city, except in agricultural zoning districts.
2. South Burlington, VT
A Backyard Chicken Permit is required to own chickens in South Burlington, VT. Per the City's Backyard Chicken Ordinance, you may keep up to 6 chickens on any lot, regardless of the number of dwelling units on the lot. On land owned by a fire district, a maximum of 15 chickens may be kept. The ordinance does not permit the keeping of roosters. Only hens are allowed to be kept for non-commercial purposes. This means you must not sell hens, or eggs laid by your hens, or engage in fertilizer production.
Henhouses and fenced areas must be kept no less than 20 feet from all property lines. However, with written approval from the neighboring property owner, that setback requirement may be reduced to 5 feet. On land owned by a fire district, the setback requirement from all property lines is 30 feet. However, it may be reduced to 10 feet with written approval from the neighboring property owner.
3. Colchester, VT
In the Town of Colchester, you don't need a permit to keep chickens, provided you have the space. There are no restrictions on the number or type of chickens you can own. However, you might want to contact your local animal control prior to acquiring any chickens.
4. Brattleboro, VT
In Brattleboro, VT, you may keep as many as 8 female chickens in your backyard. But before the keeping may occur, you must obtain a $55 permit from Brattleboro Planning Services. After obtaining a permit, you're required to place your chicken at least 50 feet from neighboring dwellings. However, these restrictions and requirements only apply to people living in residential neighborhoods.
5. Essex, VT
With a use permit, you can own up to 6 backyard chickens (hens only) in the Town of Essex. However, you don't need a permit if you reside in the AR and C1 zones. If your property is greater than 1.5 acres and located outside the AR & C1 zones, you are allowed to keep up to 12 female chickens. The setback requirement from all property lines is 50 feet. As a chicken-keeping permit holder, your property is subject to periodical inspections. The Town's Zoning Code requires that you keep your hens in such a manner as not to disturb the use or enjoyment of neighboring lots.
6. Essex Junction, VT
The City of Essex Junction requires that you obtain a Backyard Chicken Permit to keep a small number of female chickens. With a permit, you may keep a maximum of 4 hens on any lot, regardless of how many dwelling units are on the lot. Hens are allowed for personal use only and slaughtering must not be permissible in public view. Essex Junction's municipal code requires hens to be kept in a henhouse or fenced area located 15 feet from the rear yard property line.
7. Williston, VT
With an annual permit, you can keep up to 6 female chickens in your residential backyard in Williston, VT. To obtain a permit, you must demonstrate compliance with the criteria and standards in the Town's Chicken Ordinance. Accordingly, you may keep only hens (roosters are not allowed) for personal use. Selling eggs or engaging in chicken breeding for commercial purposes violates the town ordinance. You may slaughter hens for personal consumption but you must do so in a discreet location, away from prying eyes.
8. Barre City, VT
In Barre City, VT, the keeping of backyard chickens, turkeys, and quail is permitted, provided certain requirements are met. Chickens (hens only), turkeys, and quail must have access to a clean, dry, and odor-free enclosure. The City Code requires all chicken enclosures to be kept 10 feet from property lines and 30 feet from neighboring dwellings. If you intend to sell eggs, you must register your home as a home business occupancy with the city planning and permitting office. However, you must not engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes.
9. Winooski, VT
A $10 Animal-Keeping Permit is required to own backyard chickens in the City of Winooski, Vermont. With such a permit, you can have up to 8 chickens, excluding roosters, in your backyard.
10. Lyndon, VT
The Town of Lyndon's Zoning Bylaws allows the raising of backyard chickens for personal use. If you live in the Residential Neighborhood, you must obtain a permit to keep chickens. However, you don't need a permit if you live in the Rural Residential district. There are no restrictions on the number of chickens you can keep in the Rural Residential district. In the Residential Neighborhood, however, each property is limited to 8 chickens, excluding roosters. Residents of the Village and Main, Commercial, Park, and Institutional Control zoning districts must also obtain a permit to keep 8 hens.
