Are Chickens Allowed in Palm Beach County, Florida?

BySusan Medlin

In short: It depends — whether chickens are allowed in Palm Beach County varies based on where exactly you are (city limits, unincorporated area, zoning), and whether you obtain any required permits. There is no blanket “yes” or “no” for the whole county. Below is a detailed breakdown of what the county code & zoning suggests, what to check, and what steps you’d need to take to keep chickens legally.

What Existing Rules Suggest

  • Palm Beach County has zoning regulations and a “Livestock Keeping” division that address keeping animals as an accessory use to single-family residential, particularly in rural or exurban tiers.
  • A county news article mentions that before bringing chickens onto your property in Palm Beach County, you may need a “special exemption permit,” costing about $30.
  • The Code of Ordinances includes sections on “Livestock” and “Animal Care; manner of keeping,” which suggests that keeping animals (which may include poultry) is regulated. However, those ordinances don’t clearly list “chickens in residential single-family zoning” in a way that’s obviously permitted everywhere.
  • The Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building (PZB) division has had public discussion and meetings regarding livestock keeping as accessory uses, especially in rural/exurban tiers.

What Is Not Clear / What Is Restricted

  • For many residentially zoned areas, the ordinances do not explicitly say whether chickens are allowed. That means some areas may default to “not permitted” or require a permit or special exemption.
  • There is likely a distinction between unincorporated parts of Palm Beach County vs. areas inside municipalities or city limits, which often have their own rules that may be more restrictive. Residents inside a city often cannot use county permitting or zoning to do something that conflicts with the city’s code.
  • “Livestock” or “animal keeping” rules may come with conditions: setbacks from property lines, coop/enclosure requirements, limits on the number of animals, prohibition of roosters or other noisy poultry, etc. Although there isn’t a definitive list for chickens in every zone, similar ordinances in the region often include these restrictions.

What You Need to Check for Your Property

To determine whether you can legally keep chickens in Palm Beach County where you live, check the following:

  • Is your property in an unincorporated area or inside a city? If inside a city, the city’s rules may apply (which could be stricter). If unincorporated, you’re more likely to be able to use county rules.
  • What is your zoning classification? Look up your parcel’s zoning in the Palm Beach County zoning maps. If your zoning is rural, exurban, or agricultural (or allowing livestock accessory use), the chances are better. If it’s more suburban or urban residential, chickens may not be permitted without a special exemption.
  • Is there a permit or exemption process? As mentioned, some articles say a “special exemption permit” may be required. You’ll want to contact the county’s Planning, Zoning & Building department to see what permits might apply.
  • Are there setbacks, coop rules, noise or nuisance restrictions? Even where chickens are allowed, county/city codes often require that coops be a certain distance from property lines or neighbor structures, that animals be enclosed, and that noise/odor be controlled. You should plan accordingly.
  • Are there local city ordinances? If you are in a city inside Palm Beach County (e.g., West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach), their local municipal ordinances may prohibit backyard chickens even if county code might allow them in unincorporated zones. Always check with the city government.

Conclusion

So, are chickens allowed in Palm Beach County? Yes, in some parts and under certain conditions — particularly in unincorporated, rural/exurban zones and possibly with a special exemption permit. But in many urban/suburban residential zones (especially inside city limits), chickens are likely not allowed or require special permissions, and the rules are not completely explicit in the county ordinances. If you tell me your address (or at least city/neighborhood), I can try to find whether your location is allowed under the current rules.