Raising chickens in Maine is a fulfilling way to enjoy fresh eggs and embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle. With its rich agricultural history and strong farming traditions, Maine is a great place for backyard chicken keepers. Whether you live in a rural area or a small town, more and more residents are discovering the joys of keeping a flock. One breed especially well-suited to Maine’s climate is the Maine Blue Hen, a hardy and adaptable bird that thrives in all seasons. Before you get started, it’s important to understand the local regulations, as chicken laws can vary by town. Whether you’re drawn to this resilient breed or simply excited to start your own flock, knowing the rules will help you raise chickens with confidence. Let’s explore what you need to know about keeping chickens in Maine!
Is it Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Maine?
Yes, raising backyard chickens is legal in Maine, but the specific rules depend on where you live. Thanks to Maine’s Right to Food amendment, residents have the fundamental right to grow and raise their own food, including chickens. However, cities and towns can still set their own regulations, which may include limits on flock size, permit requirements, or restrictions on roosters. If you’re thinking about starting a flock, checking with your local municipality is the best way to ensure you’re following the rules.
Do You Need A Permit for Chickens in Maine?
In Maine, permit requirements for backyard chickens vary by town. Some areas, especially in residential neighborhoods, require a permit, while others have no restrictions. If a permit is needed, there may be specific rules about coop location, the number of chickens allowed, and whether roosters are permitted. To ensure compliance, check with your local town office or zoning board before starting your flock.
How Many Chickens Can I Have in Maine?
The number of chickens you can keep in Maine depends on local ordinances, which vary by town. Some areas allow 6 to 12 hens in residential zones, while rural properties may have no set limits. Roosters are often restricted or prohibited in neighborhoods. To know the exact rules for your area, check with your local town office or zoning board.
Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Maine By County
Below is a list of Maine counties and their backyard chicken regulations. Click on your county in the table to jump to the rules for your area!
Does Androscoggin County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It’s unclear if chickens are allowed throughout Androscoggin County, but Auburn, the county seat, does have specific regulations.
- Chickens are allowed for personal use only.
- The number of hens depends on lot size:
- Roosters are not allowed.
For more information, refer to Auburn’s Code of Ordinances or check your local regulations.
Does Aroostook County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Backyard chicken regulations in Aroostook County are set by each municipality.
- In Houlton (the county seat), chickens are allowed as long as they are at least 100 feet from property lines.
- In Presque Isle, chickens are allowed but must be kept in a permitted chicken coop. The required permit costs $25.
- In Caribou, residents can keep chickens as long as they are housed at least 50 feet away from property lines.
- For other areas, check with your local municipality for specific rules.
Does Cumberland County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Chicken laws are not specific in Cumberland County. Instead, you should check with your local municipality or the county seat. Portland is the county seat for Cumberland County and they allow up to six hens. Chickens must be kept in a coop at all times, and roosters are not allowed. For more information, visit Portland’s City Code or contact your local municipality.
Does Franklin County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Backyard chicken regulations are unclear for Franklin County. To get up-to-date information, it is best to get in contact with the county.
Does Hancock County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Hancock County has no county-wide regulations for backyard chickens, but Ellsworth (the county seat) does have specific rules:
- Chickens must be kept in a coop at least 20 feet from property lines.
- In Downtown Zoning Districts, coops must also be 50 feet from windows and doors.
- Roosters are not allowed.
For additional questions, contact the Ellsworth Planning Department or check regulations in your area.
Does Kennebec County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Kennebec County has no specific regulations for backyard chickens, but you can refer to Augusta (the county seat) for the rules.
- A permit is required to keep chickens.
- Roosters are allowed in certain areas.
If you need more information, read the Augusta City Code.
Does Knox County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Regulations for backyard chickens in Knox County are unclear. Rockland County, their county seat, has regulations for chickens, such as:
- Up to six hens are allowed per property, and no roosters are allowed
- Chickens must be kept in coops that are at least 20 feet from property lines and 15 feet from neighboring properties
- Chickens are only allowed for non-commercial use
Read more regulations on the Rockland Ordinances.
Does Lincoln County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Chicken regulations for Lincoln County are not clear. It is best to check with the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Does Oxford County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Oxford County does not have specific, county-wide regulations for chickens. For the most accurate and current information, it is recommended to contact the Oxford County Planning Board.
Does Penobscot County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Regulations for chickens in Penobscot County are unclear. The county seat, Bangor, does not permit chickens. For the most accurate information, contact the Penobscot Planning Board or your local city or town.
Does Piscataquis County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Chicken regulations for Piscataquis County are not specified, but their county seat, Dover-Foxcroft, allows the following for backyard chickens:
- Up to six chickens are allowed, and roosters are prohibited
- A permit is required
For more information on chicken regulations in the county, visit Piscataquis website, Dover-Foxcroft, or your local city or town’s planning department.
Does Sagadahoc County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It’s unclear whether chickens are allowed in Sagadahoc County as regulations may vary. Bath, the county seat, requires a permit to keep chickens. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to visit the Sagadahoc County website or your local city office.
Does Somerset County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
The regulations for keeping chickens in Somerset County are not well-defined and may vary by location. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to visit the Somerset County website or your local city office for clarification.
Does Waldo County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Waldo County has no specific county regulations for backyard chickens. Instead, cities and towns are allowed to have their own restrictions for chickens. The county seat, Belfast, has the following regulations:
- A maximum of six chickens are allowed on a property
- Roosters are not allowed
- Chickens are for non-commercial use online and advertising for commercial purposes, included selling eggs, is prohibited
- Chickens must be kept in an enclosure at all times
For more information, refer to the City of Belfast’s Code of Ordinances.
Does Washington County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It is not explicitly stated whether backyard chickens are allowed in Washington County. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check with the county’s website or your local municipality.
Does York County, ME, Allow Backyard Chickens?
York County does not have clear county-wide regulations on backyard chickens. To determine what’s allowed in your area, consult the county website or your local town officials.
Chicken Laws For Cities in Maine
Can I Have Chickens in Biddeford, ME?
Yes! Chickens are allowed in Biddeford, ME. There are a few regulations that must be followed to get chickens on your property:
- A permit is required from the Code Enforcement Office
- Motion detector lights to protect chickens from predators must be added
- A maximum of six chickens are allowed on a lot unless on RF and SR-1 Zones then 12 chickens are allowed
- Roosters are not allowed
- Selling chicken eggs or other similar commercial uses are prohibited
For more information, read the City of Biddeford Code of Ordinances.
Can I Have Chickens in Lewistown, ME?
Yes, you can have up to six hens in Lewistown, ME with permit. They are allowed in Rural-Agricultural (RA), Low-Density Residential (LDR), Suburban Residential (SR), Medium Density Residential (MDR), and Neighborhood Conservation (NCA) areas. Find your area and other useful information using these maps. For more information, contact the Planning and Code Enforcement Department.
Can I Have Chickens in Saco, ME?
Yes, chickens are allowed in Saco, ME under these rules:
- Keeping chickens is allowed only for noncomercial purposes, this includes selling chicken eggs
- Up to six chickens are allowed per lot
- Chicken coops must be kept in the rear yard 25 feet from all property lines
- A permit is required from the Code Enforcement Office to keep chickens, and a building permit is required for a chicken coop
For additional information, visit the Code of Ordinances.
Can I Have Chickens in South Portland, ME?
Yes! You can keep chickens in South Portland, ME.
- An annual permit is required to keep chickens, along with a building permit for coops
- A maximum of six chickens are allowed per lot
- Roosters are not allowed
- Chickens are allowed for personal use only
For more details, reach out to the South Portland Planning Department.
Can I Have Chickens in Windham, ME?
Yes, chickens are allowed in Windham, ME.
- The maximum allowed is 12 chickens on a lot
- Roosters are prohibited
- A chicken coop is required and new chicken coops need a building permit
Read the Town of Windham Code of Ordinance for more information.
Other FAQs About Keeping Backyard Chickens in ME
Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?
Letting your chickens free-range in your backyard can be a great way to give them access to fresh grass, bugs, and more space to roam. However, whether you can allow free-ranging depends on your local regulations, and most areas do not allow chickens to free-range. Before letting your flock roam, check with your town’s ordinances to make sure you’re in compliance. Also, consider potential risks like predators and neighbors’ concerns. If full free-ranging isn’t an option, a chicken coop can provide a safe alternative!
What Are The Most Cold Tolerant Chickens?
Maine’s long, cold winters mean choosing hardy chicken breeds is essential for a healthy flock. The best cold-tolerant chickens have dense feathers, small combs to prevent frostbite, and strong foraging instincts. Some top choices for Maine include:
- New Hampshire Red – A hardy, dual-purpose breed developed in New England.
- Plymouth Rock – Known for its cold resistance and friendly temperament.
- Rhode Island Red – Tough, adaptable, and excellent egg layers.
- Wyandotte – Thick feathering and a small comb make them ideal for winter.
- Australorp – A resilient breed that thrives in colder climates.
Providing a well-insulated coop, plenty of bedding, and fresh water will help keep your flock comfortable through Maine’s harsh winters.
Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Maine?
Whether you can have a rooster in your backyard in Maine depends on your local town or city regulations. Many municipalities, especially in urban and suburban areas, restrict or prohibit roosters due to noise concerns. However, rural areas often have fewer restrictions, and you may be allowed to keep one. To be sure, check with your local town office or zoning board for specific rules in your area before adding a rooster to your flock.
Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Maine?
If you have less than 3,000 laying hens, no permit is required to sell eggs in Maine. There are other restrictions such as:
- The egg size, grade of the eggs, and name and address of packer must be on the egg carton
- Cartons must have wording that refrigeration is required
- Eggs must be stored and transported at a temperature of at least 45 degrees
For more information on selling eggs in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Agriculture.
Ready to Start Your Backyard Chicken-Keeping Journey?
In Maine, the rules for keeping backyard chickens can differ from town to town, with particular requirements for coops and enclosures. That’s where the Hen House Collection comes in. We offer a wide range of coops, crafted to meet local standards, with predator-proof doors, great ventilation, variety of sizes, and hassle-free cleaning. If your town has special regulations, we can design a custom coop that fits your exact needs.
Ready to start your chicken-raising adventure? The Hen House Collection is here to guide you every step of the way, from picking the best breeds to choosing a coop that’s perfect for your flock and complies with all local regulations.
