Can I keep backyard chickens in Camden, Maine?
Yes. On a lot under 2.5 acres you can keep up to nine small animals such as hens and/or rabbits, for personal use only, in housing at least 15 ft from property lines and not in the front yard. Roosters, ducks, turkeys, goats and other larger animals, or more than nine hens, need at least 2.5 acres and must be kept 50 ft from property lines. Our copy of the zoning ordinance runs only through June 2022.
| Max hens on lots under 2.5 acres | 9 small animals total (hens and/or rabbits) [2] |
| Coop/pen setback (lots under 2.5 acres) | 15 ft; not in the front yard [3] |
| Commercial sale of eggs or meat (lots under 2.5 acres) | Prohibited [2] |
| Roosters, ducks, turkeys, or more than 9 hens | Only on lots of 2.5 acres or more [1] |
| Setback for larger animals and roosters | 50 ft from any property line [1] |
Lots under 2.5 acres
Most village and suburban lots fall here. You may keep no more than nine small animals, such as hens and/or rabbits, as pets or for personal use [2]. That's nine animals in total, so six hens and three rabbits uses up the limit. You can't slaughter animals or sell meat, eggs or manure commercially. Hens must always be kept in housing and pens set back at least 15 ft from property lines, and the coop can't be in the front yard [3]. The ordinance doesn't mention a permit or license for hens.
Lots of 2.5 acres or more
On larger lots you may keep animals incidental to residential use. Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, pigs, turkeys, ducks, roosters, or more than nine hens and/or rabbits are allowed only on lots of at least 2.5 acres, and they must be kept at least 50 ft from every property line [1]. So roosters aren't allowed on lots under 2.5 acres.
Agriculture
Commercial agriculture, defined to include keeping poultry and poultry products for sale [4], is a separate permitted use in rural and some residential districts, such as Village Extension. It's subject to the shoreland rules if you're near the water.
Caveats
Our copy of the zoning ordinance includes amendments only through June 14, 2022, so check with the town for later changes. Maine law since September 2025 bars towns from banning hens on residential property. Camden's rules limit how hens are kept rather than banning them, so they appear consistent with that law.
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Next steps
- Check your lot size: under 2.5 acres means no roosters, ducks or turkeys and no more than nine hens and/or rabbits combined.
- Site the coop and run in a side or back yard at least 15 ft from every property line (50 ft for larger animals on lots of 2.5+ acres).
- If the coop is a structure worth more than $2,000 or near the water, ask Camden Code Enforcement (207-236-3353 ext. 7112) whether a building or shoreland permit is needed.
Common questions
- Can I have chickens in Camden, Maine?
- Yes. On a lot under 2.5 acres you can keep up to nine small animals such as hens and/or rabbits, for personal use only. The ordinance doesn't mention a permit or license for hens. Our copy runs only through June 2022.
- Can I have a rooster in Camden, Maine?
- Only on a larger lot. Roosters, ducks, turkeys, goats and more than nine hens need at least 2.5 acres and must be kept at least 50 ft from every property line. Roosters aren't allowed on lots under 2.5 acres.
- How far does a chicken coop have to be from the property line in Camden, Maine?
- On lots under 2.5 acres, hen housing and pens must be at least 15 ft from property lines, and the coop can't be in the front yard.
- Can I sell eggs from my backyard hens in Camden, Maine?
- No, not on a lot under 2.5 acres. Commercial sale of eggs, meat or manure is prohibited there, and animals are for personal use only.
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
- §290-10A.3A, Keeping of animals: two and one-half acres or more, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 130
A. Two and one-half acres or more. Animals incidental to residential activities may be kept; provided, however, that animals such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, pigs, turkeys, ducks, roosters or more than a total of nine hens and/or rabbits shall not be kept on a premise having a lot area less than 2 1/2 acres, and shall be kept no closer than 50 feet to any property line.
- §290-10A.3B, Keeping of animals: less than two and one-half acres, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 130
B. Less than 2 1/2 acres. No more than nine small animals such as hens and/or rabbits may be kept incidental to residential activities, provided the animals are kept as pets or for personal use only. Slaughtering and the sale of meat, eggs or fertilizer for commercial purposes is prohibited.
- §290-10A.3B, Keeping of animals: less than two and one-half acres, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 130
At all times, animals shall be contained in housing and pens which shall meet a minimum setback requirement of 15 feet and shall not be located in a front yard area.
- §290-3.2, Definitions: Agriculture or farming, Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 290) - town PDF, p. 7
AGRICULTURE or FARMING — The production, keeping, or maintenance for sale or lease, of plants and/ or animals, including, but not limited to, forages and sod crops, grains and seed crops, dairy animals and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and ornamental and greenhouse products.