GA · verified 2026-10-21
Athens-Clarke County, GA
Short answerYes: the Athens-Clarke County unified government code allows up to 6 birds; roosters are banned; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 10 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the Athens-Clarke County unified government corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the Athens-Clarke County unified government corporate limits only. An HOA or neighborhood covenant can still ban hens. Those private rules are usually not public, so HenCheck does not look them up.
Primary source: Sec. 9-15-25. Urban agriculture.
At a glance
- Hen cap
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Banned
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 10 ft
Code cite: Sec. 9-15-25. Urban agriculture.
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Sec. 9-15-25. Urban agriculture.
How many hens
“No more than six chickens are allowed per parcel.”
Sec. 9-15-25. Urban agriculture.
Roosters
“Roosters and any other crowing chickens are prohibited.”
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
Setback / screening
“All chicken houses and enclosures must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, must be positioned at least 10 feet from the property line in all RM zones and RS-5 zones, 16 feet from the property line in RS-8 zones, 30 feet from the property line in RS-15 zones, and 50 feet from the property line in RS-25 and RS-40 zones, and in all cases such structures must be positioned at least 20 feet from residential structures on neighboring parcels.”
10 feet is the smallest setback (RM and RS-5 zones). It is 16 ft in RS-8, 30 ft in RS-15 and 50 ft in RS-25 and RS-40, and always at least 20 ft from a neighbor's house. Check your zoning district.
Also in this section
“The keeping of chickens is permitted in all zoning districts.”
“Chicken coops, chicken houses, and/or roosting structures shall be situated in the rear yard.”
Larger structures
“Structures greater than 25 square feet will be considered an accessory structure and shall comply with the standards of section 9-15-12 of this title.”
“Chickens, chicken products and/or by-products shall not be sold on the property.”
“Feed must be stored in a fully enclosed, rodent-proof container.”
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Athens, GA metro list: same stores for every city in this metro.
Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Ships live chicks to Georgia via USPS Priority Mail. Cackle's FAQ lists Georgia among the states it ships to, with chicks going out Mondays and Wednesdays from February to August and Wednesdays only from August to late October. Order sexed pullets if your city bans roosters or does not address them.
Feed store
Tractor Supply — Athens (#1361)
Athens — 4420 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605. (706) 425-8524. Store page lists livestock feed and farm supplies, including chicken coops, waterers and feeders.
Coop
OverEZ Medium Chicken Coop with Wooden 8 ft Chicken Run
Dimensions: Coop 50¼ in L × 52½ in W × 62¼ in H (includes nesting box), sized by OverEZ for up to 10 chickens; Wooden 8 ft run 8 ft W × 8 ft L × 6 ft 3 in H
Price: Coop $1,699.00 (Classic or Coastal finish; the Farmhouse finish was out of stock); Wooden 8 ft run $1,899.00. Prices as shown on overezchickencoop.com on 2026-10-21. OverEZ lists its smaller 5-chicken coop as out of stock.
The coop footprint is about 4.2 ft × 4.4 ft and the run is 8 ft × 8 ft, so with the coop at the end of the run plan on roughly 8 ft × 12.5 ft. Measure your setback from the cited code before you pick a spot, and check any height limit: the run is 6 ft 3 in tall. OverEZ ships coops and runs by tractor-trailer freight to the end of your driveway; homes on islands or on roads a truck cannot reach may need to pick up at a freight terminal.
Vet
GVETS (Georgia Veterinary Emergency and Triage Services)
Watkinsville — After-hours emergency hospital in Watkinsville. Its exotic pets page lists backyard poultry and waterfowl among the birds it treats. Call 706-715-4838. For routine care, ask them for a referral.
Verified 2026-10-21 against Sec. 9-15-25. Urban agriculture. at https://library.municode.com/ga/athens-clarke_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_TIT9ZODEST_ARTIZO_CH9-15GERE_S9-15-25URAG. Read the live code before you build or order birds.