Can You Own Goats or Sheep in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, whether you can have backyard goats or sheep depends on the town, city, or zoning district in which you live. To determine whether goats or sheep are permitted in your location, check with your city or town's zoning office or local animal control. Take the following New Hampshire municipalities for example.

Plaistow, NH

You can own goats or sheep in the Town of Plaistow, provided you meet certain requirements. According to the Town's website, structures for goats and sheep have the same setback in all districts. Sheds or barns are required to be situated 100 feet from all property lines and 75 feet from any wetlands. All corral/fenced areas should be 50 feet from all property lines. If you have an existing barn on your property that does not meet the above setback requirements, you cannot use it to house animals unless you obtain a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Concord, NH

The raising or keeping of livestock including goats and sheep is permitted in Concord, New Hampshire. According to Concord's Zoning Code, your goat or sheep enclosure should be situated not less than 150 feet from any property boundary of an adjacent property. Additionally, the Zoning Code requires all goat and sheep enclosures to provide at least 20 square feet of ground space per animal. In addition, there should be 30 square feet of exercise yard per animal and 10,000 square feet of pasture area per animal.

Derry, NH

A property of one or more acres is required for the keeping of goats and sheep in the Town of Derry, New Hampshire. All goat and sheep enclosures (excluding pastures) are required to be located at least 20 feet from any property line. Additionally, the Town Code requires all goats and sheep to be properly housed in structures designed to adequately provide them with shelter. Further, all fenced areas should be adequate to prevent the animals from escaping therefrom.

Londonderry, NH

In Londonderry, New Hampshire, goats and sheep are permitted on lots containing two acres or more. All buildings or pens (excluding pastures) used for housing goats or sheep should be located at least 25 feet from any property line. According to the Town's Code of Ordinances, no public nuisance should be created as to sight, sound, or smell that would interfere with neighboring property owner's rights.

Rochester, NH

In Rochester, NH, goats and sheep are considered large livestock animals and are permitted as an accessory use to a residence, subject to certain standards. According to Rochester's Zoning Code, goats and sheep are not permitted in the Residential-1 or -2 District. In the AG District, a lot of at least three gross acres is required. In all other districts, a lot of at least two gross acres is required. No goat or sheep should be pastured within 25 feet of any side or rear property line. The only exception to the requirement is if the abutting property owner consents to a reduced setback.

Goffstown, NH

In Goffstown, NH, the raising of goats and sheep is permitted on lots of two acres in the Agricultural, Conservation Open Space, Residential – 1, and Residential – 2 districts. As required by Goffstown's Zoning Ordinance, structures or enclosures used for the raising and keeping of goats and sheep should be located at least 50 feet from any property line.