Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Romania, but compliance hinges on municipal ordinances and veterinary health protocols. National legislation permits small-scale poultry rearing, yet local authorities enforce density limits, sanitation rules, and mandatory registrations under Law 449/2006 and Order 38/2021 from the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA). Urban areas increasingly restrict flocks to mitigate zoonotic risks, with Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca imposing permits for over five hens. Recent 2026 draft amendments propose stricter biosecurity audits for non-commercial flocks near commercial farms.
Key Regulations for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Romania
- Registration Mandate: All owners must declare flocks exceeding 10 birds to the local Direcția Sanitară Veterinară și pentru Siguranța Alimentelor (DSVSA) within 30 days of acquisition, per Order 38/2021. Failure to register risks fines up to RON 5,000 (≈€1,000).
- Zoning Restrictions: Municipalities like Iași and Timișoara cap flock sizes at 10–15 hens in residential zones, with additional setback requirements (minimum 10m from neighboring properties) under Law 18/1991 on local public order.
- Biosecurity Protocols: ANSVSA’s 2026 guidelines require disinfection footbaths, rodent control, and monthly health checks for flocks near commercial poultry operations. Free-range access is permitted but must exclude high-risk areas (e.g., near water sources used for irrigation).