Backyard Livestock Laws in Virginia
Virginia does not have a statewide preemption law that standardizes livestock ordinances across all municipalities — rules are set at the city and county level. This guide covers the major cities and counties in Virginia where backyard livestock questions are most commonly searched.
Virginia has significant variation between Northern Virginia (dense, restrictive) and the rest of the state (more permissive in unincorporated areas). Fairfax County is notably permissive for miniature goats relative to other densely populated areas.
Major Virginia Cities — Chicken & Livestock Rules Summary
| City / County | Current Rules (verify locally) |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, permit required, 50 ft from adjacent structure |
| Richmond | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, permit required ($30) |
| Norfolk | Up to 4 hens, conditional use permit required |
| Chesapeake | More permissive than Norfolk; up to 6 hens, permit required |
| Arlington County | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, permit required, 10 ft from property line |
| Fairfax County | Up to 6 hens in most residential; use permit required; miniature goats allowed in some R districts |
Data current as of late 2024. Ordinances change — always verify with your local planning department.
State-Level Registration Requirements
Beekeeping: Virginia requires registration of all managed honey bee hives with the Virginia Department of Agriculture. Contact your state's apiary division for current registration fees and requirements.
Livestock generally: Virginia does not require state-level registration for small-scale backyard livestock (chickens, goats, rabbits) below commercial thresholds. However, certain disease reporting requirements may apply if your flock shows signs of reportable diseases — contact your state Department of Agriculture's animal health division for details.
Finding Unincorporated County Rules in Virginia
If your property is in an unincorporated area (not within city limits), county zoning rules apply rather than municipal ordinances. County rules are generally more permissive than city ordinances. To confirm whether you're incorporated or unincorporated, check your county assessor's parcel records — the "jurisdiction" or "municipality" field will show if you're in a city or in unincorporated county territory.