Yes, backyard chickens are legal in South Carolina, but local ordinances and state health codes impose strict limits. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) regulates poultry ownership under the State Livestock Poultry Health Act, while municipalities like Charleston and Greenville enforce additional zoning restrictions. Recent 2026 updates to the South Carolina Poultry Disease Control Regulations require mandatory flock registration for flocks exceeding 50 birds, though smaller backyard coops remain exempt unless local laws dictate otherwise.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in South Carolina
- Flock Size Limits: Most municipalities cap backyard flocks at 10–25 hens, excluding roosters, which are often banned due to noise ordinances. For example, Columbia’s 2025 zoning amendment restricts coops to 12 hens within residential districts.
- Coop Setback Requirements: Structures must maintain a minimum 25-foot setback from neighboring residences and property lines, as outlined in the South Carolina Residential Zoning Ordinance. Violations trigger fines up to $500 under DHEC’s 2026 enforcement guidelines.
- Biosecurity Protocols: Owners must prevent flock contact with wild birds or migratory waterfowl to mitigate avian flu risks. The SC Avian Influenza Response Plan mandates immediate reporting of unusual mortality rates to DHEC’s Animal Health Division.