Can I Have Chickens In My Backyard in Montana?

You’re excited. You’ve decided to raise chickens right in your own backyard. But before you choose your breeds or buy a coop, you need to understand the requirements for your property. Some Montana communities allow a limited number of chickens with a permit, while others prohibit them. Many also have specific rules for coop placement, setbacks, and enclosures.

To save you the headache of tracking down those requirements yourself, we’ve gathered backyard chicken laws for Montana’s top cities, along with county contacts for areas without clear local regulations. You can spend less time digging through local codes and more time choosing the right chickens and planning a coop that meets the rules from the start. That preparation can help you avoid fines, denied permits, costly changes, or having to give up your chickens later.

Is It Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Montana?

Yes, backyard chickens are permitted in many Montana cities, including Billings, Missoula, and Butte-Silver Bow. Other cities, such as Lewistown, do not appear to allow them. Since Montana does not have one statewide rule, the requirements depend on where you live.

Start by confirming the regulations with your city, town, or municipal officials. If you live in an unincorporated area or cannot find local requirements, contact the county officials listed below.

Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Montana?

Yes, many areas will require a permit to keep backyard chickens, but specific requirements vary depending on where you live. Belgrade requires a single permit, Billings requires an annual permit, and Missoula requires a permit every 3 years. On the other hand, Whitefish doesn’t require a permit in all.

In addition to these permit variations, you may also need a building permit or zoning approval for your chicken coop along with any electrical, plumbing, or other permits for additional features or options on your chicken coop.

How Many Chickens Can I Have in Montana?

Most Montana communities with a verified flock limit allow up to 6 chickens. Local rules vary considerably, though. Kalispell allows up to 15 chickens, while Lewistown does not appear to permit backyard chickens. Confirm your local limit before choosing your flock or coop to avoid permit issues, fines, or having to give up chickens later.

Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?

In most communities, chickens must remain in a coop, run, or other enclosure, especially at night when they are unsupervised. Since enclosure requirements vary by location, review your city’s rules below before choosing a coop.

Once you know the enclosure standards you need to meet, The Hen House Collection can help you find an appropriate setup. Choose from ready-to-buy coops designed to simplify daily care, or customize your coop with features like an attached run to meet local requirements.

Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Montana?

No. Most Montana communities prohibit roosters or allow them only under limited conditions. Belgrade, for example, permits roosters only when they are younger than three months. Other areas may require a minimum acreage to reduce the potential for noise complaints. Unless your property has agricultural zoning or meets a specific local exception, you generally cannot keep a rooster in your backyard.

Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Montana?

Yes, Montana is an excellent state for selling eggs from your backyard flock because you do not need a license. Review the Montana state government’s egg requirements for additional rules you need to follow.

Chicken Laws For Cities in Montana

The table below lists each Montana city on the left and the local official you should contact first on the right. Select a city to review its specific backyard chicken laws below the table.

Does Belgrade, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are permitted, but you must meet specific local requirements before you start your flock. These include:

• Permit Application: Must be submitted to the Belgrade Animal Control Officer at 406-388-4262 with a $100 application fee.
• Number of Chickens: 6 hens over 3 months old, 6 chickens of either sex under 3 months old, or any combination of the 2 that does not exceed 6 total.
• Roosters: Not permitted unless under 3 months of age as specified above.
• Zoning & Lot Requirements: Only permitted on detached single-household residential parcels with a minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet.
• Coop Requirements: Both a coop and attached run are required; chickens are not permitted to roam freely. Must be kept clean and sanitary at all times to prevent odors.

Always be sure to confirm this information with Belgrade officials first. For permitting questions, contact the Belgrade Animal Control Officer at 406-388-4262, and for zoning or building questions related to your coop, contact the Belgrade Planning and Building Department at 406-388-3783.

Does Billings, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

You can have chickens in your backyard in Billings, but you must meet specific requirements set by the city, including:

• Permit Application: Annual permit required from the City of Billings Animal Control
• Number of Chickens: 6 hens
• Roosters: Not permitted
• Zoning & Lot Requirements: Chickens are only permitted on single-family properties. If you live in an apartment, duplex, or any other multi-unit dwelling, chickens are not permitted.
• Coop Requirements: Your coop must be covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated, and easy to access and clean. Your chickens must be locked inside the coop every night from sunset to sunrise.
• Setbacks: 10 feet away from rom any public right-of-way, sidewalk, or neighboring property line. Coops are not permitted in any front yard.
• Space & Sizing: 2 square feet of interior space per chicken. Coop can be no taller than 12 feet.

To verify all requirements, it’s important to check with all your local officials. For quick reference, here’s who to contact depending on what you need to know:

• Permitting/Backyard Chicken Keeping: Billings Animal Control at (406) 657-8226
• Building Your Coop: Billings Building Division at (406) 657-8270
• Zoning Information: Billings Planning Division at (406) 657-8247

Does Bozeman, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you can keep backyard chickens in Bozeman with an Urban Chicken Permit. Since the available regulations do not clearly confirm flock limits, enclosure standards, setbacks, or other requirements, contact Animal Control at (406) 582-2327 before getting chickens or choosing a coop.

Does Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you can keep backyard chickens in Butte-Silver Bow, but only in certain zoning districts and under specific property conditions. Because Butte and Silver Bow County have a consolidated government, the requirements below apply based on your property’s zoning.

• Permit Application: None required.
• Zoning & Lot Requirements:

Before getting chickens or choosing a coop, confirm your zoning and any requirements that remain unclear, including flock limits, coop standards, and rooster restrictions. Contact Butte-Silver Bow Animal Services at 406-497-6527 or Building and Code Enforcement at 406-497-6210.

Does Great Falls, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are permitted in Great Falls, but only in R-1 Zoning districts. Since flock limits, setbacks, and coop size requirements are unclear, contact the Planning and Community Development Department at 406-455-8430 to confirm that your property is zoned R-1 and learn what other rules you need to follow.

Does Helena, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Helena allows backyard chickens, provided that they are 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling, but other requirements are unclear. Contact the Planning Division at 406-447-8460 or citycommunitydevelopment@helenamt.gov to confirm your zoning, the Building Division at 406-447-8438 or CityBuilding@helenamt.gov for coop requirements, and Animal Control at 406-457-8866 or helenapolicedepartment@helenamt.gov for permit requirements, flock limits, and other rules. It’s important to confirm these details before getting chickens or choosing a coop.

Does Kalispell, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

You can have chickens in your backyard in Kalispell, but only under the following conditions:

• Permit Application: A permit application is submitted and approved by the city.
• Number of Chickens: 15 max.

• Roosters: Prohibited.
• Zoning & Lot Requirements: Chickens may be kept on single-household parcels, parcels under unitary ownership with more than one dwelling on-site, and residential parcels.
• Coop Requirements: The chicken house must be covered, predator-proof, and thoroughly ventilated; it must connect directly to a predator-proof outdoor enclosure; both must be kept clean and free of offensive odors; chickens must be secured inside from sunset to sunrise.
• Setbacks: Must be at least 20 feet from any structure where someone other than you lives, and no closer than 5 feet to any property line.
• Space & Sizing: Must be large enough to allow your chickens to move freely.

To confirm all requirements and get assistance with permitting, contact the Development Services Department.

Does Laurel, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are allowed in Laurel, but only with a permit and under specific conditions set by city ordinance. These include:

• Permit Application: An annual permit is required, with a permit fee set by the City Council Resolution.
• Number of Chickens: 6 hens.
• Roosters: Not permitted.
• Zoning & Lot Requirements: Chickens are only allowed on single-family parcels; they are not permitted on any property with multiple dwelling units.
• Coop Requirements: Your coop must be covered, predator-proof, thoroughly ventilated, and easy for you to access and clean; during daylight hours, hens must have access to the coop and, when weather allows, a securely fenced outdoor enclosure.
• Setbacks: 10 feet from any public right-of-way, sidewalk, or neighboring property line, and no coop or enclosure is allowed in your front yard.
• Sizing & Space: Must provide at least 2 square feet of indoor space per hen and cannot exceed 12 feet in height at its tallest point.

For permits and building or code questions, contact the Building/Code Enforcement Department at (406) 628-4796.

Does Lewistown, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Backyard chickens do not appear to be permitted in Lewistown. Although legislation to allow them was introduced in 2023, it does not appear to have passed. To support a change to the current regulations, contact your City Commissioner.

Does Livingston, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Livingston appears to be revising its backyard chicken regulations, so the current requirements are unclear. Before getting chickens or choosing a coop, contact Code Enforcement to confirm that chickens are permitted on your property and learn what rules you need to follow.

Does Miles City, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

As of a 2018 ordinance, it appears that backyard chickens are allowed subject to the following requirements:

• Permit Application: You must obtain a permit for your chicken coop and run. The city cannot charge a permit or license fee.
• Number of Chickens: You may keep up to 6 chickens per household.
• Roosters: Roosters are not permitted.
• Zoning and Lot Requirements: Chickens are subject to city zoning requirements, but the permitted zoning districts are not identified in the available ordinance.
• Coop Requirements: You must provide a coop and run. Chickens cannot roam outside the run and must remain inside the coop from sunset to sunrise.
• Setbacks: Setback requirements are not identified in the available ordinance.
• Feed and Manure Storage: Store feed and manure in containers that protect them from rodents and raccoons. Neither may be placed in a yard compost pile.
• Cleaning and Waste Disposal: Remove manure at least weekly without creating a public nuisance. Keep the enclosure sanitary and free from accumulated debris, food waste, and animal waste.

Since this ordinances was published May 2018, it’s important to confirm that these rules remain current before getting chickens or choosing a coop. Contact the Animal Control Officer at 406-232-3411 for clarification on current regulations.

Does Missoula, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Backyard chickens are allowed in Missoula with a permit certifying that the following requirements are met:

• Permit Application: A permit application must be submitted to the City/County Animal Control or City Finance Office with a $30.00 fee and must be renewed every 3 years.
• Number of Chickens: 6 hens on properties less than 1 acre.
• Roosters: Not permitted.
• Zoning & Lot Requirements: Backyard chickens are not restricted to specific zoning districts. They are allowed on single-family parcels and multi-dwelling parcels (with written consent from all residents and the property owner) that are smaller than one acre, as well as on parcels one acre or larger.
• Coop Requirements: Your coop must be covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated, and easy to access, clean, and maintain. Chickens must be locked inside the coop each night from sunset to sunrise. During the day, they must have access to a fenced outdoor enclosure that keeps them contained and blocks predators from getting in. All chicken feed must be stored in a rodent- and predator-proof container.
• Setbacks: 20 feet from any neighboring residence.
• Space & Sizing: 2 square feet of space per hen.

To get your permit or ask questions, contact Missoula Animal Services at (406) 541-7387; for zoning questions, reach the Current Planning & Land Use Zoning Desk at (406) 552-6625 or zoningdesk@ci.missoula.mt.us; and for coop construction or building permits, contact the Permit & Business Licensing Coordinators at (406) 552-6060 or coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us.

Does Whitefish, Montana, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Whitefish allows you to chickens as pets under the following conditions:

1. Number of Chickens: You may keep up to 5 hens.
2. Permit Application: No permit is required.
3. Eligible Properties: Chickens are permitted on properties with single family or two family residential uses, including duplexes, sublots, accessory apartments, and guesthouses.
4. Location: Hens, coops, and fenced enclosures must remain in the rear or side yard.
5. Setbacks: The coop and fenced enclosure must be at least 10 feet from every property line.
6. Enclosure Requirements: Hens must remain inside a coop and fenced enclosure.
7. Roosters: This provision applies only to hens and does not confirm that roosters are permitted.

Before getting chickens or choosing a coop, contact Whitefish Code Enforcement to confirm that these requirements remain current and apply to your property.

Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Montana By County

Backyard chicken laws are typically set and enforced by cities, towns, and other local municipalities. If you live in an unincorporated area or cannot find clear regulations for your city, use the county contacts in the right column of the chart below.

Always confirm the rules with your local officials before getting chickens. Follow county requirements only when no more specific local regulations apply.

How To Get Started Keeping Backyard Chickens in Montana

Now that you know your local requirements, use them to choose the right flock and coop before bringing chickens home. Confirm how many hens you can keep, rooster restrictions, required setbacks, and any rules for coop size, materials, or attached runs. Planning around these requirements can help you avoid permit issues, fines, or having to relocate your coop or chickens later.

The Hen House Collection offers custom coops along with several ready-to-ship styles and sizes, making it easier to find an option that fits the regulations you found above. You can choose the appropriate capacity, materials, layout, and features for your property while creating a setup that makes daily flock care easier.

Hanna Ingold

Hanna Ingold is an expert with The Hen House Collection, specializing in chicken coop regulations and poultry care. She helps homeowners navigate local state zoning and building law requirements while ensuring their chicken coops are safe, legal, and well-designed. In addition to her expertise, Hanna is highly knowledgeable in chicken care, including flock health, nutrition, and coop design, making her a trusted resource for healthy chicken keeping.