Are Chickens Allowed in Nassau County, New York?

BySusan Medlin

The rules on keeping backyard chickens in Nassau County are murky and vary a lot depending on your local village, town, or zoning district. Some places allow them under certain conditions; others forbid them entirely. So whether chickens are allowed really depends on *where exactly in Nassau County* you’re talking about. Here’s what I found out so far, plus what you should check in your area.

What I Discovered

  • Many residents report that **most of Nassau County does *not* allow chickens**, particularly in standard residential zones. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
  • Some villages or towns either **allow chickens by permit**, or they *don’t have an explicit ban*. In some incorporated villages, if there is no ordinance forbidding chickens, people interpret that as “allowed with caution.” :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
  • Example: the **Village of Freeport** has a code section that specifically restricts poultry/fowl. § 78-9 says:
    > “It shall be unlawful for any person … within the Village limits to keep, harbor or maintain any live poultry or fowl … except that not more than two poultry or fowl may be kept as household pets.” It also says roosters are prohibited. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  • Another example: in Valley Stream (an area in Nassau County), there is local discussion (by code enforcement and residents) that the three townships in that area currently *forbid chicken ownership*, though some villages don’t explicitly forbid it. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
  • There is activism and petitions in some towns (e.g. Town of Hempstead) to allow chickens and ducks under controlled conditions. Some villages within those towns might have already adopted more permissive rules. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

What “Allowed with Restrictions” Usually Means

Where chickens *are* allowed or tolerated, these are common restrictions noted by residents or village codes:

  • No roosters (because of noise). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
  • Limits on how many hens or fowl (sometimes “pets only” or “household pets”). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
  • Setbacks — keeping the coop or pen a certain distance from property lines or neighboring homes. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
  • Permits or special use permissions in some villages. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
  • Restrictions in size or type of property (e.g. lot size, whether you’re in a residential versus semi-rural or agricultural zone). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

What the Laws Say Specifically in Some Places

  • **Freeport (Village)**: Poultry is mostly forbidden. Up to two fowl allowed *only* as household pets. Roosters are not allowed. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
  • **Valley Stream area**: The townships in that region appear to forbid chicken ownership altogether in many cases. Some villages therein might have more lenient rules or may allow with permits. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  • **Oyster Bay**: The code for “farm animals / fowl” in certain residential districts may be restrictive or require special permits. Some commentary suggests “no farm structure” or “no fowl” in many residential districts. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Conclusion — What You Should Do If You’re in Nassau County

If you live in Nassau County and wonder whether you *can* keep chickens, here’s what to check to know for sure:

  1. Find your **village/town/hamlet** and look up its local code/ordinance for “poultry,” “fowl,” or “livestock.” Different villages have different rules.
  2. Check whether there is any clause about “domestic fowl” or “poultry” in your village’s zoning code, especially rules that forbid or restrict “farm animals” structures.
  3. See if your local law allows “pets” exceptions. Sometimes codes allow a small number of fowl if they’re considered pets, not farm animals.
  4. Check whether roosters are banned (they almost always are in villages in Nassau County).
  5. Measure or ask about required setbacks for coop/pen from property lines or neighboring structures.
  6. Ask local code enforcement or your building/village department—they can confirm whether a permit is needed.

Short Answer

In short: **maybe, but probably not** — for many people in Nassau County, backyard chickens are *not* legally allowed under current village/town laws (especially in standard residential zones). But there *are* some villages/towns that allow them (with restrictions), and some properties may fall under special exceptions.