Can I keep a rooster in New Hampshire? Town rules compared
Roosters are where town rules are strictest. Of the 9 towns we've verified, most ban roosters on residential lots. Lebanon allows them only on large R-3 lots, and Portsmouth decides case by case. Checked October 28, 2026.
| Town | Rooster rule |
|---|---|
| Concord | Prohibited |
| Dover | Not included in family-use animals, so not allowed under this rule |
| Hampton | Prohibited |
| Laconia | Prohibited (no other poultry either) |
| Lebanon | Not allowed in R-1 or R-2. In R-3, allowed on lots over 5 acres at 1 rooster per 10 hens, with coop 150 ft from all lot lines |
| Manchester | Not permitted |
| Nashua | Prohibited |
| Portsmouth | Set case by case by the Zoning Board; recent approvals have banned roosters |
| Rochester | Not allowed in the Residential-1 and Residential-2 districts |
Each town page quotes the ordinance and links to the official source. Even where a rooster is allowed, noise and nuisance rules still apply.
If your town isn't listed
- Find your town's zoning ordinance on the town website (often under Planning, Building, or Code Enforcement) and search it for "chicken," "poultry," "fowl," "livestock," and "agricultur."
- Check the use table for your zoning district (your district is on the town's zoning map or tax card).
- If nothing mentions chickens, read our silent-code explainer: NH law may treat them as allowed.
- Call or email the town's zoning administrator or code officer, and ask for the answer in writing.
- Check your HOA, condo, or deed rules and any lease. They can ban chickens even where the town allows them.
General information, not legal advice. Always confirm with your town.