Town Permit Guide

Home › Maine › Falmouth › Backyard Chickens

Can I keep backyard chickens in Falmouth, Maine?

Falmouth, Cumberland County · Ordinances checked 2026-10-15 · Reviewed · 8 cited sections

Allowed

Yes. Since an amendment the Town Council adopted in August 2026, Falmouth allows backyard hens on residential lots in every residential zoning district with no minimum lot size, but roosters are allowed only in the Farm and Forest district. On typical residential lots the run fencing and coop must sit at least 20 feet from every property line, and you can have one coop of up to 100 square feet and 12 feet tall.

Minimum lot size for poultryNone required [3]
Where the coop/run rules applyAll lots in RA, RC, ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, R1N, TWMP, VC1, VC2; lots under 40,000 sq ft in F, RB, RD, HL, VMU [4]
RoostersNot allowed except in the Farm and Forest district [1]
SlaughteringNot allowed except in the Farm and Forest district [2]
Coop and run fencing setback20 feet from all property lines [5]
Coop limits1 coop, max 100 gross sq ft, max 12 ft high [6]
Manure storageCovered, max 3 cubic feet stored [7]

Where hens are allowed

Falmouth regulates poultry in Sec. 19-40 of its Zoning Ordinance. Ordinance No. 24-2027 added the ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, Route One North (R1N), Tidewater (TWMP), VC1 and VC2 districts to the places where poultry may be kept, to comply with a 2025 state law on backyard chickens. The copy we have is the Town Council agenda version, and its clerk's attest line is blank, so the August 24, 2026 adoption date comes from the Council's meeting minutes for that date, not from the ordinance document itself. (Falmouth numbers ordinances by fiscal year, so a 2027 number on an August 2026 adoption is expected.) No minimum lot size is required for poultry [3].

Rules for typical residential lots

On all lots in RA, RC, ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, R1N, TWMP, VC1 and VC2, and on lots under 40,000 square feet in F, RB, RD, HL and VMU [4]:

  • Fencing that contains the birds and any enclosed coop must be set back at least 20 feet from all property lines [5].
  • Birds must be contained by fencing or similar material high enough to keep them in.
  • Only one enclosed coop is allowed, no larger than 100 gross square feet or taller than 12 feet [6].
  • Stored manure must be fully covered, with no more than 3 cubic feet stored; the pen area must be kept free of trash and droppings [7].

On lots of 40,000 sq ft or more in F, RB, RD, HL and VMU, these coop and setback limits don't apply; the no-rooster and no-slaughtering rules still do. The ordinance's animal table lists HL with no minimum lot size ("N/A") and allows only poultry there, while the coop rules separately exempt HL lots of 40,000 sq ft or more, so a large HL lot can keep hens without the 20-foot setback and one-coop limits.

Roosters, slaughtering and other animals

Roosters and slaughtering are allowed only in the Farm and Forest district [1][2]. The ordinance doesn't cap the number of hens. Other livestock, such as horses, cattle, goats and sheep, generally needs a 40,000 sq ft lot in F, RA, RB, RC, RD and VMU (swine are barred in some of these districts), and is not allowed at all in the HL, ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, R1N, TWMP, VC1 and VC2 districts.

Permits

Sec. 19-40 doesn't mention a poultry permit or license. A coop is still a structure, so check zoning setbacks with Code Enforcement before building.

See how Falmouth compares with 8+ other Maine towns on backyard chickens →

Next steps

  1. Confirm your zoning district on the town's zoning map or with Code Enforcement (207-699-5310).
  2. Site the run fencing and coop at least 20 feet from every property line, and keep the coop to one structure of 100 sq ft or less and 12 ft or lower.
  3. Plan covered manure storage (3 cubic feet maximum) and keep only hens unless you're in the Farm and Forest district.
  4. Ask Code Enforcement whether your coop needs a building permit before you build it.

Common questions

Can I have chickens in Falmouth, Maine?
Yes. Falmouth allows backyard hens on residential lots in every residential zoning district with no minimum lot size, under an amendment whose August 24, 2026 adoption date comes from the Town Council's meeting minutes. The ordinance doesn't cap the number of hens.
Are roosters allowed in Falmouth, Maine?
No, except in the Farm and Forest district. Roosters and slaughtering are allowed only there; elsewhere you can keep hens only.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from the property line in Falmouth, Maine?
It depends on the lot. On all lots in RA, RC, ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, R1N, TWMP, VC1 and VC2, and on lots under 40,000 sq ft in F, RB, RD, HL and VMU, the coop and run fencing must be at least 20 feet from all property lines, with one coop of up to 100 sq ft and 12 ft tall. Larger lots in those five districts are exempt.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Falmouth, Maine?
Falmouth's poultry rules (Sec. 19-40) don't mention a poultry permit or license. A coop is still a structure, so check zoning setbacks and ask Code Enforcement (207-699-5310) whether it needs a building permit before you build.

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.

State sources: 7 M.R.S. §219-D (Keeping chickens on residential property) · LD 1655 (P.L. 2025, c. 174) bill status · 7 M.R.S. §152 (Right to Farm definitions) · 7 M.R.S. §153 (Farm not a nuisance)

What the ordinance says

Exact text from Falmouth's published ordinances. Section numbers are as printed in the source.

  1. Sec. 19-40.d.1.a, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    No roosters shall be permitted in any district with the exception of Farm and Forest.
  2. Sec. 19-40.d.1.b, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    No slaughtering shall be permitted in any district with the exception of Farm and Forest.
  3. Sec. 19-40.d.1.c, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    Notwithstanding Section 19-40.b. above, no minimum lot size is required for the keeping of poultry.
  4. Sec. 19-40.d.2, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    The following requirements shall be met for the keeping of poultry on lots less than 40,000 square feet in F, RB, RD, HL, and VMU, and all lots regardless of size in RA, RC, ESRD, MRSD, MUC, OSRD, R1N, TWMP, VC1, and VC2.
  5. Sec. 19-40.d.2.a, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    Fencing for containing poultry and enclosed coops shall be setback a minimum of twenty (20) feet from all property lines.
  6. Sec. 19-40.d.2.c, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    Enclosed coops, if utilized, shall not exceed one (1) in number, 100 gross square feet or 12 feet in height.
  7. Sec. 19-40.d.2.d, Ordinance No. 24-2027 - Amendments to Ch. II-19 (Sec. 19-40 Animals / Keeping of Poultry; Sec. 19-121 setback variance) and Ch. II-24 to comply with state mandates (LD 1655, LD 1143, LD 556) - adopted Aug 24, 2026, p. 2
    All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure. No more than three (3) cubic feet of manure shall be stored.
  8. Staff summary, LD 1655, Summary of New State Legislation (LDs 1655, 1143, 556) and Related Ordinance Amendments - staff background, Council meeting Aug 24, 2026, p. 1
    As a result of this new state law, Falmouth’s ordinance must be amended to allow the keeping of poultry in all of the town’s other zoning districts that allow residential uses.
This page summarizes Falmouth's posted ordinances as of 2026-10-15. Ordinances are amended, and individual lots can have overlays, subdivision covenants, or HOA rules that are stricter. Confirm with Code Enforcement Division (Community Development) (207-699-5310) before you build. Spot an error?