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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1655H.P. 1096House of Representatives, April 15, 2025
An Act to Allow the Keeping of Chickens on Private Residential
Property
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and
ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative POIRIER of Skowhegan.
Cosponsored by Representatives: COLLAMORE of Pittsfield, FAULKINGHAM of Winter
Harbor, MORRIS of Turner, WADSWORTH of Hiram. Page 1 - 132LR1314(01)
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2 is enacted to read:
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4 A county or municipality may not adopt a regulation or ordinance that prohibits a
5 person from raising chickens on private residential land, subject to the following.
6 Notwithstanding subsection 1, a county or municipality may adopt a regulation or
7 ordinance that is stricter than the requirements of this section, but may not restrict a person
8 from raising chickens on private residential land.
9 A person raising chickens on private residential land may
10 not keep more than 36 chickens or a number determined by county or municipal regulation
11 or ordinance, whichever number is higher.
12 A person raising chickens on private residential land shall
13 maintain a coop that:
14 A. Is located at least 15 feet from any property line;
15 B. Is enclosed with predator-proof mesh wire and provides an opening and a door with
16 a latch; and
17 C. Provides at least 4 square feet of inside space per chicken.
18 A person raising chickens on private residential land shall provide
19 at least 10 square feet of secure outdoor space per chicken.
20 A person raising chickens on private residential land shall keep the
21 chickens secure and shall prevent the chickens from trespassing on the property of others.
22 A person raising chickens on private residential land shall prevent chickens from creating
23 a nuisance or disturbing adjacent property and property owners with noise or odor. A
24 person raising chickens on private residential land shall take action to reduce the attraction
25 of predators and rodents to the area in which the person is raising chickens.
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27 This bill prohibits a county or municipality from adopting a regulation or ordinance
28 that prohibits a person from raising chickens on private residential land. The bill allows a
29 person to raise not more than 36 chickens or a number of chickens determined by a county
30 or municipal regulation or ordinance, whichever number is higher, and provides
31 requirements for maintaining a coop. The bill also requires a person raising chickens on
32 private residential land to provide at least 10 square feet of secure outdoor space per
33 chicken, to prevent chickens from trespassing on the property of others, creating a nuisance
34 or disturbing adjacent property and property owners and to take action to reduce the
35 attraction of predators and rodents.
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