Can I keep backyard chickens in Auburn, Maine?
Yes. Auburn's zoning code counts laying hens kept as pets as "household pets," housed at night in your home or an accessory building such as a coop, as long as they don't create a nuisance like noise or odors noticeable off your property. We couldn't review the city's animals chapter or district rules, so we can't tell you about hen limits, roosters or coop setbacks.
| Laying hens | Allowed as household pets (not for commercial gain) [1] |
| Condition | No public nuisance (noise, odors, hazards) [2] |
| Poultry in Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay | 15 animal units per acre of cleared land, max 150 per lot [3] |
| Livestock farm minimum land | 1 acre (per Chapter 8 Animals) plus land per animal [4] |
Laying hens are "household pets"
Auburn's zoning code defines a household pet as an animal kept as a pet and normally housed at night in the owner's home or an accessory building on the same lot. The definition expressly includes laying hens, but excludes animals normally raised as livestock or poultry and any animal raised for commercial gain [1]. So a small backyard flock of laying hens kept for your own use counts as household pets, and the coop is an accessory building. The one condition the definition sets is that you can't create a public nuisance, such as noise or odors noticeable off your property, or a hazard to neighbors or visitors [2].
What we couldn't review
In the text we could review we found no number limit, coop setback or permit for hens. We couldn't download Auburn's zoning district regulations (Article IV) or its animals chapter (Chapter 8) from Municode, and either could add limits. The definition doesn't mention roosters. Because it covers laying hens only, roosters may be treated as poultry or livestock instead. A coop is likely an accessory building, so the shed setbacks in Sec. 60-43 may apply; confirm with the city.
Larger animals and farms
Keeping horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine and similar animals falls under the "livestock farm" definition. It requires at least 1 acre under Chapter 8 (Animals) plus land per animal unit [4].
Lake Auburn Watershed
In the Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay, poultry is limited to 15 animal units per acre of cleared land, up to 150 per lot [3]. The overlay also has rules for agricultural uses, so ask the city whether they apply to your flock.
State law
Since September 24, 2025, Maine law bars towns from banning hens on residential property, though towns may still limit how they're kept and may ban roosters. Auburn's definition already allows hens.
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Next steps
- Ask the Planning, Permitting & Code Department (Auburn Hall, 60 Court Street, 207-333-6601) whether any hen limit, rooster rule or coop permit applies in your district.
- If the city treats your coop as an accessory building, keep it out of the front yard setback and at least 5 ft from the house.
- Keep the coop clean and the flock quiet enough that neighbors can't notice noise or odors.
Common questions
- Can you have chickens in Auburn, Maine?
- Yes. Auburn's zoning code counts laying hens kept as pets as household pets, housed at night in your home or an accessory building such as a coop, as long as they don't cause a nuisance like noise or odors noticeable off your property. We couldn't review the city's animals chapter or district rules, which may add limits.
- How many chickens can I have in Auburn, Maine?
- We don't know. In the text we could review we found no number limit, coop setback or permit for hens, but we couldn't review Auburn's animals chapter or district regulations, which could add limits. Ask the Planning, Permitting & Code Department.
- Are roosters allowed in Auburn, Maine?
- It's unclear. Auburn's household-pet definition covers laying hens only and doesn't mention roosters, so roosters may be treated as poultry or livestock instead. Maine's hen law doesn't stop towns from banning roosters. Ask the city.
- Are there chicken limits near Lake Auburn in Auburn, Maine?
- Yes. In the Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay, poultry is limited to 15 animal units per acre of cleared land, up to 150 per lot. The overlay also has rules for agricultural uses, so ask the city whether they apply to your flock.
Maine's backyard chicken law
Towns can't ban hens outright. Since September 24, 2025, state law (7 M.R.S. §219-D, from LD 1655) says a town or county may not adopt an ordinance that prohibits a person from keeping chickens on their own residential property.
- The law defines "chicken" as a female domesticated bird raised for meat or eggs. Fully mature roosters aren't covered, so towns can still ban or limit them.
- The law also says it does not limit a town's "home rule" authority. In practice towns appear to keep the power to regulate how hens are kept, such as how many, coop location and setbacks, and sanitation, as long as the rules don't amount to a ban. The law is new, and courts haven't yet tested how far towns can go.
- Older ordinances that ban chickens in some zones may still be on the books but conflict with this law. Ask your town how it's applying them.
Right to Farm. Maine's Right to Farm law (7 M.R.S. §151 et seq.) protects farm operations connected to the commercial production of agricultural products from nuisance claims. A small flock kept just for your own eggs likely isn't covered.
Private deed covenants or HOA rules aren't addressed by the law and may still limit chickens.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 60-2 Definitions, "Household pet" (Supp. No. 34), PROPOSAL (not adopted): Planning Board workshop packet 2026-08-11 - draft Chapter 60 amendments for LD 1829/LD 2173 (Sec. 60-2 definitions and Article II General Provisions, redline on Supp. No. 34 text), p. 9
Household pet means any animal kept as a pet and normally housed at night within the owner's dwelling or an accessory building on the same lot, including laying hens, but not including any animal normally raised as livestock or poultry or any animal raised for commercial gain.
- Sec. 60-2 Definitions, "Household pet" (Supp. No. 34), PROPOSAL (not adopted): Planning Board workshop packet 2026-08-11 - draft Chapter 60 amendments for LD 1829/LD 2173 (Sec. 60-2 definitions and Article II General Provisions, redline on Supp. No. 34 text), p. 9
(1) Objectionable effects perceptible outside the owner's property, such as excessive or untimely noise or offensive odors; or
- Ord. 21-11182024, Sec. 60-952(2)(c) Number of animal units permitted (Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay District), City Council Ordinances adopted in 2024 (compilation) - incl. Ord. 21-11182024 Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay text/map amendments and Ord. 23-12022024 LD 2003 housing/ADU amendments, p. 67
The number of animal units of poultry permitted in the district shall be calculated as 15 animal units per acre of cleared land not to exceed a total of 150 animal units per lot.
- Sec. 60-2 Definitions, "Farm, livestock" (Supp. No. 34), PROPOSAL (not adopted): Planning Board workshop packet 2026-08-11 - draft Chapter 60 amendments for LD 1829/LD 2173 (Sec. 60-2 definitions and Article II General Provisions, redline on Supp. No. 34 text), p. 7
Farm, livestock, means any parcel of land that contains at least the following land area used for the keeping of horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, swine and similar sized animals for the agricultural use of the residents of the lot, provided that there is a minimum of 1 acre of land as required by Chapter 8 Animals and adequate land area is provided for each animal unit, excluding water bodies of one-quarter acre surface area or larger: