Which Came First: The Chicken or The Ordinance?
Chickens are becoming a hot topic…whether it’s the increase in egg prices, or the continuing interest in homesteading, more clients are expressing interest in raising chickens. Spring is approaching fast and adorable fuzzy, chicks will be looking for homes. Even in Lancaster County, it’s not as easy as throwing a coop in the backyard and joyfully collecting eggs.
If you have a buyer who wants to join in the chicken fun, here is some information you can share to make their home purchase align with their goals.
Is there a HOA? Be sure to check the rules & regs to see if chickens are allowed.
Every municipality has their own ordinance regarding poultry. It would be best practice to have your buyer reach out to the municipality to confirm what it is currently allowed[1]. Be sure to know the specific zoning classification of the property. If the property is zoned agricultural, it will be easier to have livestock. If there is a different zoning classification, it will be important to understand what is currently allowed for that classification. If chickens are allowed, there may be restrictions, such as: no roosters, limited numbers depending on acreage, and specifications as to construction and location of the coop. There may be permitting/licensing fees as well.
Less commonly, there may be deed restrictions that prevent livestock/chickens. If the listing agent does not have a copy of the deed, you can visit lancasterdeeds.com to find a copy of the deed.
While it may be impossible to keep up to date with the guidelines of all 60 municipalities of Lancaster County, you can be the superhero to your buyers by guiding them in the correct direction. By sharing some of the hurdles that exist in owning chickens, you will be reinforcing your real estate expertise and guiding them into the correct home to roost.
Copyright © Which Came First: The Chicken or The Ordinance?, Melissa Boots, Reality ONE Unlimited Lancaster. 2025. All Rights Reserved.
[1] Personal experience: I had buyer clients who definitively wanted chickens. We looked at a property that had an existing coop (no chickens currently living on property). When checking with the municipality, it was discovered that chickens would not longer be permitted on this particular property due to changes in zoning and ordinances. The buyers passed on the property.
Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate, but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.
