Can I keep backyard chickens in Gorham, Maine?
Yes. In Gorham's Urban Residential, Urban Residential Expansion and Suburban Residential districts, hens are a permitted use: 6 on a lot under 20,000 sq ft, up to 10 on 20,000-40,000 sq ft, and 25 on lots over 40,000 sq ft. Roosters aren't allowed on lots under 6 acres, and coops and pens must meet zoning setbacks and stay out of the front yard.
| Lot under 20,000 sq ft | 6 chickens [1] |
| Lot 20,000-40,000 sq ft | Up to 10 chickens [1] |
| Lot over 40,000 sq ft | 25 chickens [2] |
| Roosters | Not allowed on lots under 6 acres [3] |
| Enclosure | Required at all times on lots under 40,000 sq ft (mobile enclosure OK) [4] |
| Coop location | Must meet zone setbacks; not in the front yard [5] |
| Manure storage | Enclosed or covered; max 3 cubic yards on site [6] |
| Rural District | Raising of poultry is a permitted use [7] |
Where and how many
Section 2-12 (Keeping of Urban Farm Animals) makes farm animals a permitted use in the Urban Residential (UR), Urban Residential Expansion (UR EXP) and Suburban Residential (SR) districts, as long as its standards are met. The number of chickens depends on lot size: 6 on a lot under 20,000 sq ft and up to 10 on a lot of 20,000-40,000 sq ft [1], and 25 on a lot over 40,000 sq ft [2]. No roosters are allowed on lots smaller than 6 acres [3]. On lots under 40,000 sq ft, the hens must be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times; a mobile enclosure (a chicken tractor) counts [4].
In the Rural District, "sawmill, piggery or the raising of poultry" is listed as a permitted use [7], and the Section 2-12 limits are written only for the UR, UR EXP and SR districts. The Village Centers and commercial districts don't list agricultural uses or farm animals as permitted uses.
Coops, pens and waste
Coops and pens must meet the setback requirements for the zone and can't be in the front yard [5]. Fencing has to keep the birds confined, and structures must protect them from the elements. Manure must be stored in a fully enclosed structure or covered airtight containers, with no more than 3 cubic yards on site [6], and odors must not be noticeable at the property line.
Other animals
Ducks, geese, turkeys, goats, sheep and similar small animals need at least 40,000 sq ft for two, plus one more for each additional 20,000 sq ft. Large animals such as horses or cows need 100,000 sq ft for two. Lot area counted for one animal category can't be reused for another.
Permits and state law
Section 2-12 doesn't mention a separate chicken permit. A coop is a structure, though, so the Chapter 1 building permit rule may apply to it. Maine law since September 2025 bars towns from banning hens on residential property. If you live in a residential part of a district where Gorham's code doesn't list farm animals (such as Village Centers), state law may override that gap.
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Next steps
- Confirm your zoning district and lot area (Gorham's online zoning map or the Assessor's records).
- Count your allowed hens from the lot-size tiers and skip roosters unless your lot is 6 acres or more.
- Place the coop and pen outside the front yard and outside your district's side, rear and front setbacks.
- Ask Code Enforcement (207-222-1605) whether your coop needs a building permit before you build it.
Common questions
- Can I have chickens in Gorham, Maine?
- Yes, in the Urban Residential, Urban Residential Expansion and Suburban Residential districts, where hens are a permitted use. The Rural District also lists raising poultry as permitted. Other districts, such as Village Centers, don't list farm animals, so ask Code Enforcement.
- How many chickens can I have in Gorham, Maine?
- It depends on lot size: 6 on a lot under 20,000 sq ft, up to 10 on 20,000-40,000 sq ft, and 25 on a lot over 40,000 sq ft. These limits are written for the Urban Residential, Urban Residential Expansion and Suburban Residential districts.
- Are roosters allowed in Gorham, Maine?
- No, not on lots smaller than 6 acres. On lots under 40,000 sq ft, hens must also be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times; a mobile enclosure counts.
- Where can I put a chicken coop in Gorham, Maine?
- Coops and pens must meet the setback requirements for your zone and can't be in the front yard. Section 2-12 doesn't mention a separate chicken permit, but a coop is a structure, so a building permit may apply. Ask Code Enforcement.
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. 2-12(1)(a)(1)-(2), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 113
(1) Six (6) chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area less than 20,000 square feet. (2) Up to ten (10) chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area between 20,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet.
- Sec. 2-12(1)(a)(3), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 113
Twenty-five (25) chickens may be kept on a lot with a lot area greater than 40,000 square feet.
- Sec. 2-12(1)(a)(4), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 113
On lots with a lot area less than 6 acres no roosters shall be kept.
- Sec. 2-12(1)(a)(5), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 113
On lots with a lot area less than 40,000 square feet, all chickens must be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times. This requirement can be met through the use of a mobile enclosure.
- Sec. 2-12, structures (a)-(b), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 113
a. Structures shall meet the setback requirements for the zone in which it is located. b. Structures and pens shall not be located in the front yard.
- Sec. 2-12(4)(a), Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 2: General Standards of Performance, p. 114
No more than three (3) cubic yards of manure or waste shall be stored on site.
- Sec. 1-8.B(7) Rural District permitted uses, Land Use and Development Code – Chapter 1: Zoning Regulations, p. 51
7) Sawmill, piggery or the raising of poultry.