Poultry & Rabbit Regulations

In recent years there has been an increased citizen interest in keeping backyard chickens and other poultry in urban areas in a move toward greater sustainability. Poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, peahens, or other domestic fowl) and rabbits are allowed with an existing residence. The City Council adopted new regulations on March 28, 2013 to reduce the required setback for chicken coops from 100 feet to 20 feet from any neighbor and set limits and conditions on keeping poultry and rabbits within the city limits.

Number of Chickens & Rabbits Allowed

The number of poultry and rabbits allowed is limited to 1 poultry and/or rabbit per 1,000 square feet of lot area, with a maximum of 20 poultry and/or rabbits per occupied lot. A lot is the land associated with a residence.

Rules for Keeping Chickens & Rabbits

  • Check with your homeowner’s association and neighborhood Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs) first.
  • Check with your insurance company on your property and liability coverage.
  • Animals must be safe and enclosed.
  • Roaming area must be provided and fenced. Animals cannot encroach on adjacent property.
  • Backyard animals cannot have a negative impact on neighbors. For example, your poultry should not disturb your neighborhood with loud and/or continuous noises.
  • Coops must be provided (minimum of 4 square feet per animal).
  • A maximum of two coops are permitted on a lot. Each building must be located a minimum distance of 5 feet from any property line and 20 feet from any neighboring residence or business. Coops cannot be located in the front yard.
  • All houses, pens or enclosures must be kept clean and free from disagreeable odors.
  • No organic materials that attract flies or rodents shall be allowed to accumulate on the premises. All manure and other refuse must be kept in tightly covered fly-proof receptacles and disposed of at least once each week.

What’s Not Allowed

The following are not allowed:

  • Roosters and peacocks are not allowed within the city limits.
  • No livestock or fowl poultry of any kind shall be allowed to run at large, during any hour of the day or night upon any unenclosed land public or private, within the city limits.

Nuisance Chickens

The City has the authority to require correction for any animals that become a nuisance. The issue will be addressed by the City’s Code Enforcement Officer.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

  • No permit fees are required.
  • No business license is required unless you are selling eggs or meat.
  • Wash hands with soap and water after touching animals.
  • Supervise children when handling animals.
  • Keep young poultry away from family living spaces.