According to South Carolina state law, here are the rules and regulations for keeping backyard chickens:
- Zoning ordinances may limit the number of chickens that can be kept in urban areas, so it’s important to check with your local government before getting chickens.
- A permit is required to keep chickens within the city limits of Charleston and the town of Mount Pleasant.
- Chickens must be kept in a secure enclosure that is predator-proof and well-ventilated.
- The enclosure must be kept clean and free from unpleasant odors.
- Chickens must have access to clean water and appropriate food.
- Chicken feed must be stored in a secure container that is inaccessible to rodents and other pests.
- Roosters are allowed, but they must be kept at least 100 feet away from neighboring residences.
- Slaughtering chickens on residential property is not allowed.
- If you sell eggs, they must be labeled with the date they were collected and stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
- Chickens must be kept at least 20 feet away from neighboring residences, schools, and hospitals in unincorporated areas of the county.
Your specific city will have more information about your local requirements.
View South Carolina Chicken Ordinances by City
- Charleston
- Columbia
- Greenville
- Hilton Head Island
- Mount Pleasant
- North Charleston
- Rock Hill
- Spartanburg
- Summerville
- Sumter
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Last updated: 4/24/24