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Can I keep chickens in Manchester, NH?
Hens allowed City in Hillsborough County · Checked October 28, 2026
Hen limitUp to 6 hens
RoostersNot permitted
Lot size & whereAt least 1/2 acre (21,780 sq ft) with a single-family home, in the R-S, R-1A, R-1B or R-2 districts
Coop setbacksHenhouse not in the front yard; henhouse and fenced run at least 20 ft from side and rear lot lines; henhouse max 64 sq ft and 6 ft tall, at least 3 sq ft per hen
Permit needed?Not stated in these sections; ask Manchester Planning & Community Development about a permit for the henhouse
Other rules to know
- Owner must live in the home on the lot
- No egg sales, breeding, or slaughtering
- Run fence max 6 ft; no scrap-material henhouses
- No more than 3 cubic ft of composting manure, fully enclosed
What the ordinance says
"Domestic chickens are only permitted as an accessory use on lots which are a minimum of a half acre (21,780 square feet) in size, and which are utilized for single-family residential purposes. ... Up to six hens of any breed may be kept. Roosters are not permitted."
Source: Manchester Zoning Ordinance (effective March 1, 2026) § 4.6.1(C) Domestic Keeping of Chickens and § 5.6.5(G) Henhouses. Checked October 28, 2026.
Confirm with Manchester before you build. Rules change, and HOA or deed rules can be stricter.