| Are chickens allowed in Burlington? | Yes |
| How many chickens can you have? | Determined by enclosure space |
| Can you have roosters in Burlington? | No |
| Chicken coop placement rules: | No rule specified (check with city officials) |
| Application process: | Permit required |
| More information: | Burlington City Code |
Enrich your urban farming journey in Burlington by familiarizing yourself with the key guidelines for successful chicken-raising.
- Number of Hens: Residents of Burlington are allowed to keep as many chickens as their chicken enclosure allows. The chicken pens section below provides more detail, but please contact the city before trying to determine how many chickens you can have based on the size of your enclosure.
- Roosters Not Permitted: Roosters are not allowed to be kept within the city limits of Burlington.
- Chicken Pens
- Enclosure Requirement: Chickens must be kept in an enclosure, chicken tractor, or fenced area (poultry pen) during daylight hours.
- Minimum Pen Space: Each chicken must have a minimum of 3 square feet of pen space.
- Sun and Shade: The pen must provide adequate sun and shade for the chickens’ well-being.
- Protection Against Predators: The pen must be reasonably protective against rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats.
- Predator and Bird Resistance: Pens housing chickens must be constructed to be reasonably predator- and bird-resistant, ensuring that predators are kept out and the chickens remain safe inside.
- Chicken Coops
- Coop Requirement: Chickens must be secured within a coop during non-daylight hours.
- Minimum Coop Space: Each chicken must have a minimum of 1.5 square feet of coop space.
- Coop Design: The coop must be enclosed on all sides and have a roof and doors.
- Nighttime Security: Access doors must be able to be shut and locked at night to protect the chickens.
- Ventilation: Coops must have opening windows and vents, which must be covered with predator- and bird-resistant, sturdy wire fencing.
Stay up-to-date on Burlington’s backyard chicken rules by contacting officials for the latest information.
Start Raising Chickens
See other Vermont chicken ordinances.
Last updated: 4/24/24