Chicken Permit
Backyard chickens are allowed as an accessory use in the following zoning districts.
- RE (Residential Estate)
- R-1 (Single Family)
- R-1AA (Single Family)
- R-1A (Single Family)
- R-1B (Single Family)
Please contact the city to confirm the zoning district of the property.
Review and Prepare
Review Standards for Backyard Chickens *
Failure to comply with these standards will result in need for removal of birds and structure.
- All chicken operations must be registered by the property owner with the city prior to placement. The city council will establish a fee for the one-time registration.
- Registration process consists of a site and building plan with location and specifics of coop, pen or run, and coop setbacks.
- Not more than six (6) hens are allowed. No roosters are allowed.
- Coop (and covered run) is limited to not more than sixty (60) square feet.
- Shelters or coops shall be in the rear yard only and located at least five (5) feet from side or rear lot lines.
- Shelters or coops shall be at least thirty (30) feet from an adjacent home (living space).
- All runs must be fenced unless the entire rear yard is fenced. Chickens are not allowed to run free.
- Chicken waste must be removed from the coop so as not to cause a nuisance and be properly disposed of or composted.
- Slaughtering and processing of the chickens must be done off-site.
- Structure must be removed and site restored if keeping of chickens is discontinued for more than twelve (12) months.
- If the home is within a managed community and has a home ownership association, the association management must also sign off on the placement of the chickens.
Note: Many neighborhood associations may prohibit the keeping of chickens or have more stringent standards.
Prepare
The following information and documents are needed for upload during the online application process. Please note, documents need to be in a PDF format (other accepted formats are DOC, DOCX, JPEG, and PNG).
- Site Plan
Show the following:- Distance from coop to property lines.
- Distance from coop to neighboring homes
- Proposed dimensions of the coop
- Letter from Home Owners Association
(authorization for keeping of chickens if property is an HOA) - Chicken Permit Application Fee - $45
(due at time of application submittal)
Create an Account
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Please Note:
Contractors applying for permits on behalf of a homeowner must setupan iMS Account and a Pro Accountbefore continuing with the permit process.Are you a new user?
If no, continue to step 3 on the left.If yes, create an account.
Please Note:
Contractors applying for a permit on behalf of a homeowner must setup a User Account and then a Pro Account.
Homeowners doing your own work may setup a User account only.New users to the system need to create an account. Please select create an account.
Creating a New User in iMS and iMS Tips
Having trouble creating an account? Detail instructions are available here, iMS account creation information.Already have an account?
Create a PRO AccountA PRO account is for contractors that require any city or state license or registration.
Please note, Architects are able to apply for a permit for new commercial buildings without being a PRO account.
Creating a Pro Account in iMS
Having trouble creating a PRO account? Detail instructions are available:
Apply
Once you have gathered the necessary documents above and have created an account, you are ready to begin the online application process.
Please note the following:
- Once the application is started, the system will not allow you to go back to a previous page, you must continue through the entire application.
- Once you have completed and uploaded all required documents, a review page allows you to go back and edit any part of the application.
- Any question or upload with a red asterisk (*) is required.
Review and Payment Process
- Chicken Permit Application Fee - $45
(due at time of application submittal) - Permit Approval - 3 Days (typical review period)