Keeping hens · State rules

Can you keep backyard chickens in Virginia?

Any Virginia locality may zone land for farm, home and other uses (Va. Code s. 15.2-2280), so check yours. Right to Farm limits cover farming in agricultural districts; whether a backyard flock counts wasn't established.

Read from 8 official sources36 passages quotedChecked October 24, 2026

At a glance

Registering your flock

Not established

Where hens can live

Set locally

Bird-flu housing orders

Status needs rechecking

Welfare rules

Rule with conditions
Set locally

Who decides where hens can live

The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. What the checked sources say:

  • Any Virginia locality may, by ordinance, divide its territory into zoning districts and in each one regulate, restrict, permit or prohibit agricultural, residential and other uses of land and buildings.

No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your locality may zone land use, within the Right to Farm Act's limits, so check with it. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.

Registration: not established in the state sources we read.

The law's own words are quoted under state rules on keeping poultry below.

How to check: Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.

A sourced reading of Virginia's state law, not legal advice. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local code before you get hens.

Keeping your flock

These findings cover the national or state scope stated below. They do not determine whether chickens are allowed at a particular home. City zoning, property restrictions and other local rules are outside this research.

Registering as a poultry keeper

Not established from the sources checked

Jurisdiction: Virginia

Applies to: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) livestock premises registration and the live-bird marketing system registration power, as checked on 24 October 2026.

Outside this finding's scope

  • Whether Virginia requires backyard poultry keepers to register was not established. VDACS’s page does not say registration is required of all keepers. Va. Code s. 3.2-6023(D) defines the live-bird marketing system as live-bird markets and the production and distribution units that supply them, including a farm that is the origin of poultry offered for sale in a live-bird market; whether this reaches a given backyard keeper was not established, and the implementing regulation was not checked.

What the checked sources say

  • VDACS’s premises registration gives a Premises Identification Number (PIN) to a location where livestock or poultry are housed. It is free, and a PIN is required to receive free official animal ID tags; many Virginia livestock shows and fairs also require exhibitors to have one. VDACS takes PIN registrations by email at prem.id@vdacs.virginia.gov or by phone at 804-692-0600.
  • State law requires the Commissioner to register or license everyone who takes part in any component of Virginia’s live-bird marketing system.

Authority: Not established from the sources checked.

Fee: VDACS says PIN registration is free.

The official wording

Bird-flu housing orders

Current status needs rechecking

Check the official current-status page

Orders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.

Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-24

The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.

Conditions apply to this finding

Uses housing orders in this scope: Yes, according to the checked evidence, within the limits listed under “Outside this finding’s scope” below.

Jurisdiction: Virginia

Applies to: Quarantine, confinement and care-order powers of Virginia’s State Veterinarian over contagious and infectious livestock and poultry diseases, under Va. Code ss. 3.2-6002 to 3.2-6007.

Outside this finding's scope

  • These powers do not in terms require birds to be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any quarantine, proclamation or housing order applies now.

What the checked sources say

  • The State Veterinarian must take the measures needed to prevent the spread of and eradicate contagious and infectious livestock and poultry diseases. On notice, the owner or custodian of an animal being evaluated must isolate and confine it where needed for the evaluation or to stop the disease spreading.
  • Once a disease is found contagious or infectious, the State Veterinarian may adopt and enforce quarantine lines and regulations. The State Veterinarian may also issue a proclamation limiting live animal sales and events or the movement of manure, bedding, equipment, vehicles or other possibly infectious material, to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious diseases to livestock and poultry.
  • The State Veterinarian may also give and enforce orders on separating, feeding and caring for diseased or exposed animals so they do not contact healthy livestock or poultry. Diseased or exposed domestic animals may not enter or leave a quarantined district, premises or grounds without the State Veterinarian’s authority.
  • As checked on 24 October 2026, VDACS’s avian influenza page asked backyard and commercial poultry owners to report unusual poultry illness or deaths to the State Veterinarian’s Office at 804-692-0601 or vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov, or to USDA at 866-536-7593.
  • Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed.
Checked
Recheck due

Historical evidence, as checked

These quotations record what was checked on the dates shown. They do not confirm an order's current status.

  • The State Veterinarian shall take such measures as may be necessary to prevent the spread of and eradicate contagious and infectious livestock and poultry diseases.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6002(A), first sentence · Checked

  • Upon notice by the State Veterinarian or his representative, the owner or custodian of any animal to be evaluated shall isolate and confine the animal if necessary to accomplish the evaluation or to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious disease.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6003(B) · Checked

  • If a disease is found to be contagious or infectious, the State Veterinarian, or his representative, may adopt and enforce quarantine lines and regulations and shall enforce such cleaning and disinfection as may be deemed necessary to prevent the spread of such disease.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6003(C)(1), first sentence · Checked

  • The State Veterinarian may issue and enforce a proclamation limiting live animal sales and events or the movement of manure, bedding, equipment, vehicles, or other material that may be infectious to prevent the spread of contagious or infectious diseases to livestock and poultry.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6003(C)(2) · Checked

  • The Board may adopt regulations and the State Veterinarian may give and enforce directions and orders as to separating, feeding, and caring for diseased or exposed animals as necessary to prevent the animals affected with disease, or capable of communicating disease, from coming in contact with livestock or poultry not so affected.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6004 · Checked

  • Any domestic animal with any contagious or infectious disease, any domestic animal exposed to such a disease, or any domestic animal that is otherwise capable of communicating such a disease to livestock or poultry shall not be permitted to enter or leave any quarantined district, premises, or grounds, except by authority of the State Veterinarian.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6007 · Checked

  • Virginia backyard flocks or commercial poultry owners should report unusual poultry illnesses or deaths to the State Veterinarian's Office at 804-692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov or call the USDA's toll-free at 866-536-7593.

    VDACS Avian Influenza page, "Reporting Sick or Dead Farm Birds" · Checked

  • Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure.

    VDACS Avian Influenza page, introduction, first sentence · Checked

Small-flock welfare minimums

Conditions apply to this finding

Jurisdiction: Virginia

Applies to: Owners of poultry, which Virginia counts as agricultural animals, under Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1, and anyone dealing with any animal under the cruelty statute, s. 3.2-6570.

Outside this finding's scope

  • The feed and water duty does not apply when feed or water is customarily withheld, restricted or apportioned as part of a farming activity, or as a veterinarian prescribes; farming activity covers raising and using agricultural animals for food, fiber or transportation, consistent with standard husbandry. Being unable to provide care because of an act of God is presumed not to be a violation, and the section does not cover animals used for bona fide medical or scientific experimentation.
  • The cruelty section does not prohibit authorized wildlife management, hunting, fishing or trapping, or farming activities as provided under Virginia’s agriculture title or its regulations.
  • This finding is not a complete welfare code and sets no numerical space standard or property permission.

What the checked sources say

  • Anyone who owns, keeps or cares for poultry must give each bird feed to prevent malnourishment, water to prevent dehydration, and veterinary treatment as needed when a health problem cannot otherwise be handled through husbandry, including humane destruction. A violation is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
  • Under the cruelty statute, ill-treating or abandoning any animal, or depriving it of necessary food, drink, shelter or emergency veterinary treatment, is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The official wording

  • "Agricultural animals" means all livestock and poultry.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6500, "Agricultural animals" · Checked

  • "Poultry" includes all domestic fowl and game birds raised in captivity.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6500, "Poultry" · Checked

  • "Owner" means any person who: (i) has a right of property in an animal; (ii) keeps or harbors an animal; (iii) has an animal in his care; or (iv) acts as a custodian of an animal.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6500, "Owner" · Checked

  • Each owner shall provide for each of his agricultural animals: 1. Feed to prevent malnourishment; 2. Water to prevent dehydration; and 3. Veterinary treatment as needed to address impairment of health or bodily function when such impairment cannot be otherwise addressed through animal husbandry, including humane destruction.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1(A) · Checked

  • A violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1(E) · Checked

  • The provisions of this section shall not require an owner to provide feed or water when such is customarily withheld, restricted, or apportioned pursuant to a farming activity or if otherwise prescribed by a veterinarian.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1(B) · Checked

  • There shall be a rebuttable presumption that there has been no violation of this section if an owner is unable to provide feed, water, or veterinary treatment due to an act of God.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1(C) · Checked

  • The provisions of this section shall not apply to agricultural animals used for bona fide medical or scientific experimentation.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6503.1(D) · Checked

  • "Farming activity" means, consistent with standard animal husbandry practices, the raising, management, and use of agricultural animals to provide food, fiber, or transportation and the breeding, exhibition, lawful recreational use, marketing, transportation, and slaughter of agricultural animals pursuant to such purposes.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6500, "Farming activity" · Checked

  • Any person who (i) overrides, overdrives, overloads, ill-treats, or abandons any animal, whether belonging to himself or another;

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6570(A)(i) · Checked

  • (iii) deprives any animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or emergency veterinary treatment;

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6570(A)(iii) · Checked

  • or being the owner of such animal permits such acts to be done by another is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6570(A), closing of first sentence · Checked

  • This section shall not prohibit authorized wildlife management activities or hunting, fishing or trapping as regulated under other titles of the Code of Virginia, including Title 29.1, or to farming activities as provided under this title or regulations adopted hereunder.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-6570(D) · Checked

National or state rules on keeping poultry

Conditions apply to this finding

Jurisdiction: Virginia

Applies to: Virginia localities’ zoning power over land use and the Right to Farm Act’s limits on local ordinances and nuisance claims.

Outside this finding's scope

  • No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your locality may zone land use, within the Right to Farm Act's limits, so check with it. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.
  • The Right to Farm Act’s protections attach to agricultural operations, meaning operations devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals or fowl; its bar on requiring a special exception or special use permit applies only in areas zoned as an agricultural district or classification. Whether a backyard flock qualifies was not established.

What the checked sources say

  • Any Virginia locality may, by ordinance, divide its territory into zoning districts and in each one regulate, restrict, permit or prohibit agricultural, residential and other uses of land and buildings.
  • In an area zoned as an agricultural district, a locality may not require a special exception or special use permit for production agriculture, but may set setbacks, minimum areas and other requirements; its zoning there may not unreasonably restrict farm structures or farming practices unless the limits relate to health, safety and general welfare.
  • An agricultural operation, meaning an operation devoted to bona fide production of crops, animals or fowl including poultry products, is not a nuisance when it substantially complies with applicable best management practices and state laws.

The official wording

  • Any locality may, by ordinance, classify the territory under its jurisdiction or any substantial portion thereof into districts of such number, shape and size as it may deem best suited to carry out the purposes of this article, and in each district it may regulate, restrict, permit, prohibit, and determine the following:

    Va. Code s. 15.2-2280, opening · Checked

  • 1. The use of land, buildings, structures and other premises for agricultural, business, industrial, residential, flood plain and other specific uses;

    Va. Code s. 15.2-2280(1) · Checked

  • "Agricultural operation" means any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of all kinds, meat, dairy, and poultry products,

    Va. Code s. 3.2-300, "Agricultural operation", opening · Checked

  • no locality shall adopt any ordinance that requires that a special exception or special use permit be obtained for any production agriculture or silviculture activity in an area that is zoned as an agricultural district or classification.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-301, first sentence, closing · Checked

  • Localities may adopt setback requirements, minimum area requirements, and other requirements that apply to land on which agriculture and silviculture activity is occurring within the locality that is zoned as an agricultural district or classification.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-301, second sentence · Checked

  • No locality shall enact zoning ordinances that would unreasonably restrict or regulate farm structures or farming and forestry practices in an agricultural district or classification unless such restrictions bear a relationship to the health, safety, and general welfare of its citizens.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-301, third sentence · Checked

  • No agricultural operation or any of its appurtenances shall be or become a nuisance, private or public, if such operations are conducted in substantial compliance with any applicable best management practices in use by the operation at the time of the alleged nuisance and with any applicable laws and regulations of the Commonwealth relevant to the alleged nuisance.

    Va. Code s. 3.2-302(A), first sentence · Checked

Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Virginia has the latest we've checked.

Selling eggs in Virginia? →License, small-flock line, markets and cartons, on their own page.Selling: License: not stated

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Common questions

Do I have to register backyard chickens in Virginia?
Registration: not established. The finding covers: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) livestock premises registration and the live-bird marketing system registration power, as checked on 24 October 2026. Outside this finding's scope: Whether Virginia requires backyard poultry keepers to register was not established. VDACS’s page does not say registration is required of all keepers. Va. Code s. 3.2-6023(D) defines the live-bird marketing system as live-bird markets and the production and distribution units that supply them, including a farm that is the origin of poultry offered for sale in a live-bird market; whether this reaches a given backyard keeper was not established, and the implementing regulation was not checked.
Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Virginia?
The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. Any Virginia locality may, by ordinance, divide its territory into zoning districts and in each one regulate, restrict, permit or prohibit agricultural, residential and other uses of land and buildings. No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your locality may zone land use, within the Right to Farm Act's limits, so check with it. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules. Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Virginia?
Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today. PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker page for Virginia has the latest we've checked.

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