Keeping chickens in North Sydney

Keeping chickens in your backyard is legal in NSW but there are regulations to keep in mind, including a limit of up to 10 chickens, and no roosters in residential areas.

You can't install a chicken coop if your property is a heritage item or your land is in a foreshore area.

The most important part of keeping chickens is the chicken coop. Only one coop is allowed on each property and it must be:

  • limited to a floor area of 15 square metres
  • a maximum height of 3 metres above ground level
  • located in the rear yard
  • 3 metres distance from the boundary
  • located at least 4.5 metres from any dwelling, public hall, school or premises used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food
  • made of materials that blend with the environment and be non-reflective
  • adequately drained
  • paved with concrete or mineral asphalt, or have clean sand underneath the roosts or perches
  • occupied by no more than 10 fowls or poultry.

The coop and poultry yard must also be kept clean and free from offensive odours.

Watch the video below for a quick rundown of the regulations:

Further rules and regulations can be found in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 - Schedule 2, Part 5, Division 2.

Coal loader - square- chickens

Meet the Coal Loader chickens

Anyone can visit our chicken coop at the Coal Loader to see our feathered residents. You can also join the Coal Loader Community Garden to help care for the chickens and learn more about how to keep chickens at home.

Find out more