🐔 Can I keep hens in my yard?

With conditions

Quick answer

It depends on the settlement: yes in small/rural ones, effectively no in a dense urban fabric. Keeping backyard poultry is governed by Health Regulation Y1b/2000/1995 (the old YD 8181/86 that blogs still quote has been repealed). In small numbers for own use no permit is needed, with the birds in a proper enclosure (not free-roaming). A minimum distance of ~30 m from any lawful dwelling is required (adjustable ±25% by the health authority), and the unit must be closer to your own home than the neighbour's. The number of birds is set by region/municipality decisions by settlement population. In an apartment/balcony, never. In short: yes in a village with distances, no in the city.

📋 The rules

Small numbers for own use: no permit, in an enclosure
Minimum distance ~30 m from a lawful dwelling (±25%)
The unit closer to your own home than the neighbour's
Number of birds: set by municipal/regional decision
Apartment/balcony: never allowed

🔓 Exceptions

Agricultural fringes of big cities: may be allowed
Tourist settlements: excluded even if small
Larger units: need ordinary licensing

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Breaching the health conditions brings an administrative fine and an order to remove/relocate the birds, under the health-penalty framework and the municipal decision — there's no single national figure. Beware two myths: that the "YD 8181/86" applies (it's been repealed) and that "you can always keep 5 hens anywhere" (the real rule is the per-population cap + 30 m, set locally). To stay compliant: ask the municipality/health service for the permitted number in your settlement, keep the distance from dwellings, keep the birds in a clean enclosure, and manage odours/rodents.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I keep hens in my garden?

It depends on the settlement. In small villages and rural areas, keeping backyard poultry in small numbers is allowed without a permit, with a proper enclosure and distances. In a dense urban fabric, due to the distances and local limits, it's effectively banned.

Do I need a permit?

For a small number of backyard birds, for own use, no permit is needed, provided the health conditions and distances are met. For larger units, approaching a poultry-farming activity, ordinary licensing is required.

How far must I keep them from neighbours?

The general rule is a minimum distance of about 30 metres from any lawful dwelling, adjustable by ±25% by the health service. In addition, the poultry unit must be closer to your own home than to the neighbour's.

How many hens are allowed?

There's no single number. The limit is set by region or municipality decisions, depending on the settlement's population: from several dozen in small villages down to a few hens in urban centres. It's best to ask your municipality.

Does the old health regulation 8181/86 apply?

No. The YD 8181/86 quoted in many old articles has been repealed. What applies is Health Regulation Y1b/2000/1995, together with the local municipal or regional decisions on the number of birds per settlement.

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