Can I keep backyard chickens in Brunswick, Maine?
Yes, in Brunswick's growth area. The codified ordinance allows up to 6 hens on a single-family detached home's property with a chicken license from the Town Clerk, issued after an Animal Control inspection. No roosters, nothing in the front yard, and the henhouse and pen must be at least 10 feet from the side and rear property lines.
| Max number of hens | 6 per single-family detached dwelling property [1] |
| Duplexes and multi-family | No chickens allowed (ordinance text; see state-law note) [1] |
| Roosters | Not allowed (only female chickens permitted) [2] |
| Henhouse setback | At least 10 ft from rear and side property lines [5] |
| Pen setback | At least 10 ft from rear and side property lines [6] |
| Location | No enclosure in the front yard; henhouse and pen in rear yard [4] |
| License | Required; issued by the Town Clerk after Animal Control inspection [8] |
| License expiration | Last day of April every even year [8] |
| Where the article applies | Town-designated growth area [9] |
| Other farm animals (cows, horses, goats, etc.) | Single-family lot of at least 2 acres; max 2 animals [10] |
How many and what kind
Brunswick's codified Domesticated Chickens article (Chapter 4, Article III) allows no more than six chickens per single-family detached dwelling property [1]. Only female chickens are permitted, so roosters are not allowed [2]. Hens are for personal use only [3]. The ordinance also says no chickens are allowed in multi-family complexes, including duplexes [1]. Maine law since September 24, 2025 bars towns from prohibiting hens on residential property, so state law may override the duplex/multi-family ban.
Coop and pen placement
An enclosure (henhouse plus pen) may not be in the front yard [4]. Henhouses and pens go in the rear yard, and neither may be within 10 feet of a rear or side property line [5][6]. On a corner lot a side yard may be used, subject to district setbacks. Odors must not be perceptible at the property line [7].
License
You need a chicken license. The first license is issued by the Town Clerk after a favorable inspection by the Animal Control Officer, and it expires on the last day of April of every even-numbered year [8]. The fee is set in the town's Master Schedule of fees (Appendix B), which we did not review.
March 2026 amendments: confirm status
The town posts a March 2, 2026 chickens document as "adopted," but the copy we have is a redline headed "Draft Amendments — presented to Council on March 2, 2026" [12], and the codified code we reviewed does not yet reflect it. The redline proposes to define "chicken" to match state law (a female bird; mature roosters excluded) [13], drop the rule against keeping chickens inside a residence or attached structure, and add a written-notice enforcement section. The 6-hen limit, setbacks, front-yard rule and license are unchanged in that draft. Ask the Town Clerk whether the amendments took effect.
Growth area vs. rural area
The article states it covers chickens in the town-designated growth area [9]. If you live in a rural district, ask Planning & Development which rules apply to you.
Other livestock
Cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas and alpacas need a single-family lot of at least 2 acres, with no more than 2 animals [10]. Barns must be 35 feet from property lines [11].
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Next steps
- Confirm your property is a single-family detached home in the growth area using the town zoning map or by calling Planning & Development at 207-725-6660.
- Plan a fully enclosed henhouse and optional wire pen in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from the side and rear property lines.
- Apply to the Town Clerk for a domesticated chicken license and pay the fee listed in the Master Schedule of fees.
- Schedule the Animal Control Officer's inspection; the license is issued after a favorable inspection.
- Renew the license before the last day of April in each even-numbered year.
Common questions
- Can I have chickens in Brunswick, Maine?
- Yes, in the town-designated growth area. The ordinance allows hens on a single-family detached home's property with a chicken license from the Town Clerk, issued after an Animal Control inspection. If you live in a rural district, ask Planning & Development which rules apply.
- How many chickens can I have in Brunswick, Maine?
- No more than 6 per single-family detached dwelling property. The ordinance text bars chickens in duplexes and multi-family complexes, but Maine law since September 24, 2025 may override that.
- Are roosters allowed in Brunswick, Maine?
- No. Only female chickens are permitted.
- Where can I put a chicken coop in Brunswick, Maine?
- Not in the front yard. The henhouse and pen go in the rear yard, and neither may be within 10 feet of a rear or side property line.
- Do I need a chicken license in Brunswick, Maine?
- Yes. The Town Clerk issues it after a favorable Animal Control inspection, and it expires on the last day of April of every even-numbered year. March 2026 amendments may have changed the rules, so ask the Town Clerk.
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. 4-63(a), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
No more than six (6) chickens shall be allowed per single-family detached dwelling property. No chickens shall be permitted within multi-family complexes, including duplexes.
- Sec. 4-63(b), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
Only female chickens are permitted with no restriction on chicken species.
- Sec. 4-63(c), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
Chickens shall be kept only for personal use.
- Sec. 4-64(d), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
An enclosure shall not be located in the front yard.
- Sec. 4-65(e), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
No henhouse shall be located within ten (10) feet of a rear or side property line.
- Sec. 4-66(c), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
No chicken pen shall be located within ten (10) feet of a rear or side property line.
- Sec. 4-67(a), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
Odors from chickens, chicken manure, or other chicken-related substances shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries.
- Sec. 4-69, Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
The license shall expire on the last day of April every even year. Any license applied for less than six (6) months from expiration shall be half the fee. The initial license shall be issued by the town clerk after favorable inspection by the Brunswick Animal Control Officer or designee.
- Sec. 4-61, Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
The purpose of this article is to provide standards for the keeping of domesticated chickens in the town-designated growth area.
- Sec. 4-93(a)-(b), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
A single-family residence having a minimum lot area of two (2) acres is required for the keeping of domesticated farm animals. (b) No more than two (2) domesticated farm animals shall be kept on a lot with a single-family dwelling.
- Sec. 4-94(a), Chapter 4 - Animals (Municipal Code)
Minimum setback: Any structure used to house domesticated farm animals must be at least thirty-five (35) feet from a property line and at least forty-five (45) feet from any residential dwelling unit located on a neighboring lot.
- Ch. 4, Art. III (document header), Chapter 4 Domesticated Chickens Ordinance (adopted March 2, 2026), p. 1
Draft Amendments — presented to Council on March 2, 2026
- Sec. 4-62 Definitions, Chicken (proposed), Chapter 4 Domesticated Chickens Ordinance (adopted March 2, 2026), p. 1
Chicken. A female domesticated bird that is raised for meat or eggs and does not include a fully mature male domesticated chicken.