I read an article several years ago about how it is basically a legal gray area in DC, but instead of finding that, I just came across this hilarious opinion article on the topic:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-opinions-are-local/wp/2017/04/26/why-d-c-should-ban-those-horrible-dangerous-backyard-chickens/

Anonymous wrote:Racing pigeons? I want to hear more about these racing pigeons...

My dad raised racing pigeons when I was growing up. What would you like to know?

Racing pigeons? I want to hear more about these racing pigeons...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you cannot have chickens in DC.

You can ride an ATV recklessly and noisily through the city. You can sell drugs by rec centers and schools. You can blare loud music for hours. You will be treated with understanding if you carjack someone.

But backyard chickens are too dangerous for and disruptive to our way of live.

No, all of the bolded things are illegal too. Terrible people just do them anyway, like people are encouraging OP to raise chickens in her yard anyway even though it's against the law.

Please cite the law that forbids this. I know people who do it and they are hardly law breaker types.

Sure: WASHINGTON D.C. CODE § 8-1808 http://dccode.org/browser/#/8/8-1808

"h(1) Except as provided in this subsection, no person shall import into the District, possess, display, offer for sale, trade, barter, exchange, or adoption, or give as a household pet any living member of the animal kingdom including those born or raised in captivity, except the following: domestic dogs (excluding hybrids with wolves, coyotes, or jackals), domestic cats (excluding hybrids with ocelots or margays), domesticated rodents and rabbits, captive-bred species of common cage birds, nonpoisonous snakes, fish, and turtles, traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes, and racing pigeons (when kept in compliance with permit requirements)."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, you cannot have chickens in DC.

You can ride an ATV recklessly and noisily through the city. You can sell drugs by rec centers and schools. You can blare loud music for hours. You will be treated with understanding if you carjack someone.

But backyard chickens are too dangerous for and disruptive to our way of live.

No, all of the bolded things are illegal too. Terrible people just do them anyway, like people are encouraging OP to raise chickens in her yard anyway even though it's against the law.

Please cite the law that forbids this. I know people who do it and they are hardly law breaker types

Anonymous wrote:No, you cannot have chickens in DC.

You can ride an ATV recklessly and noisily through the city. You can sell drugs by rec centers and schools. You can blare loud music for hours. You will be treated with understanding if you carjack someone.

But backyard chickens are too dangerous for and disruptive to our way of live.

No, all of the bolded things are illegal too. Terrible people just do them anyway, like people are encouraging OP to raise chickens in her yard anyway even though it's against the law.

I know people in DC who have chickens. Yes, you can do this

Anonymous wrote:I think DC allows chickens- not roosters.

It's the best way to lose your neighbors.

Here we go again…… https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/251766.page

It’s best to not ask. Be prepared for them to be taken away.

My main objection to urban chickens is rats. I have the same problem with feeding cats and also birds. But other people will object to the noise as well so your neighbors will be well within their rights to complain.

Check out code 902 of Animal Control Code of Washington DC

No, you cannot have chickens in DC.

You can ride an ATV recklessly and noisily through the city. You can sell drugs by rec centers and schools. You can blare loud music for hours. You will be treated with understanding if you carjack someone.

But backyard chickens are too dangerous for and disruptive to our way of live.

I think DC allows chickens- not roosters.

We have friends with chickens in Fairfax County. Their ordinances don't allow chickens unless you have a certain number of acres, I think it might be 2. I don't know what to tell you about DC. Good luck, though. I think that would be pretty cool !

Having a hard time finding info on this. Are backyard chickens allowed in DC? Anyone have them? If so, what has your experience been?