Can I Have Chickens In My Backyard in Idaho?

Yes, you can in many parts of Idaho, but the rules can vary widely depending on where you live. Some places set limits on the number of hens, while others have guidelines about coop placement or restrictions on roosters. Because these regulations differ from city to city and may also be influenced by HOAs, it’s important for homeowners to review local ordinances before starting their flock.

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

Yes, in many parts of Idaho, it is legal to keep chickens in your backyard, though rules vary greatly based on your city, county, or whether you live in an area with a homeowners’ association (HOA). Local ordinances may set limits on the number of hens, restrict roosters, or require specific coop placement and odor control. And while state lawmakers have proposed bills (such as Senate Bill 1026 and House Bill 404) to protect the right to raise chickens and limit HOA bans, those bills have not fully overridden existing local regulations. 

Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Idaho?

It depends on your city or county, there’s no blanket statewide rule that mandates a permit everywhere in Idaho. Some municipalities, like Rupert, require a permit before you can keep any fowl inside city limits. Other areas don’t require a permit but still enforce restrictions on how many chickens you can keep, whether roosters are allowed, or where the coop must be.

How Many Chickens Can I Have in Idaho?

The number of chickens you can keep in Idaho depends on local ordinances, as there is no single statewide rule. Most cities and counties that allow backyard flocks typically set limits to keep numbers manageable for residential areas. On average, you can expect to be allowed between 4 and 10 hens, though the exact amount varies depending on where you live.

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

Yes, in many parts of Idaho, you can let your chickens free-range in your backyard, but it depends on local rules. Some city or county ordinances require that chickens be enclosed (not allowed to wander freely), set minimum setbacks or fence requirements, and prohibit roosters. For example, in Buhl, Idaho, the city allows hens to free range within a fenced backyard under certain licensing rules.

Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Idaho?

Potentially, but it depends on local rules, zoning, and HOA restrictions. Some cities or homeowner associations forbid roosters outright due to noise concerns. A proposed bill, Senate Bill 1026, would still allow HOAs to “adopt reasonable rules,” including restrictions on roosters. 

Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Idaho?

Yes, in many cases, you can sell your chicken eggs in Idaho, but there are regulations to follow. Under IDAPA 02.02.11 “Rules Governing Eggs and Egg Products,” producers with 300 or fewer hens may sell ungraded shell eggs directly to consumers without needing to grade them, so long as each container is clearly labeled “UNGRADED” and includes the producer’s name and address.

If you exceed that scale or start distributing to retailers or wholesalers, you’ll need to comply with additional licensing, inspection, and grading requirements. Also, local health districts may have rules about selling food products (even eggs) at farmers’ markets or roadside stands, so check with your county health department.

Chicken Laws For Cities in Idaho

Use the chart below to find cities in Idaho along with their contact information for details about backyard chicken regulations. Simply select a city on the left side of the chart to view its specific rules and guidelines.

Does Ammon, ID Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Ammon, Idaho, does allow domestic hens under specific regulations. The city code’s “Chicken Ordinance Brochure” confirms that domestic hens (chickens kept for eggs) are permitted within certain residential zones, provided they follow rules for setbacks, enclosures, and zoning. You can view more details on the City of Ammon’s official website.

Does Blackfoot, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

The city’s animal regulations mention general rules for animals and prohibited species, but do not explicitly list chickens as permitted or describe rules for poultry. 

Does Boise, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Boise, Idaho, does allow backyard chickens under certain rules. According to local sources, residents are permitted to keep up to six hens, no roosters, with no permit required in many cases.

Does Burley, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

In Burley, Idaho, city code prohibits keeping chickens or poultry (except baby chicks under four weeks old) within most residential zones. The law designates a “restricted district” encompassing nearly the entire city, so chickens are generally not allowed outside of licensed agricultural or fairground exemptions. 

Does Caldwell, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, in Caldwell, Idaho, backyard chickens are allowed under specific rules. The ordinance lets residents keep up to 30 hens (no roosters) per half-acre. Coops must follow setback and enclosure requirements to minimize impacts on neighbors.

Does Chubbuck, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Chubbuck, ID, does allow backyard chickens, with some restrictions. The city permits up to six (6) domestic hens (no roosters) to be kept in the rear yard of a single-family or duplex residence in a residential zone, provided they are enclosed, comply with setbacks, and do not create nuisances.

Does Coeur d’Alene, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, allows backyard hens under certain rules. According to their city code, residents may keep chickens (but not roosters), with a limit of up to 12 hens within city limits.

Does Eagle, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are usually permitted in Eagle, ID, though certain rules must be followed. Residents can keep up to six hens, but roosters are prohibited.

Does Garden City, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No. Garden City, ID, has strict zoning rules that typically prohibit residents from keeping backyard chickens in standard residential neighborhoods. Unlike nearby cities such as Boise and Meridian, Garden City’s municipal code, specifically section 8-2C-3 on agriculture, restricts most households from raising chickens within city residential zones.

Does Hayden, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Hayden, ID, does allow backyard chickens, though with restrictions. According to the Hayden city code, you may keep one hen or duck per 2,000 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 10 hens or ducks per lot in residential zones. Roosters are prohibited within city limits.

Does Idaho Falls, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, in Idaho Falls, you are typically allowed to keep up to six (6) hens (no roosters) under certain conditions. The hens must generally be confined to the rear yard of single-family or duplex homes in residential zones, and specific rules apply for coop placement and setbacks.

Does Jermone, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Jerome, ID allows backyard chickens under certain conditions. As of March 2025, the city amended its municipal code (via Ordinance 1238) so that keeping up to six (6) chickens, poultry, or fowl is permitted without needing a special use permit.

Some rules that apply:

• Roosters are not allowed.
• Chickens must be contained on the property (or fenced), and coops must follow accessory structure setbacks.
• They cannot be kept in the front yard. 

Does Kuna, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, residents in Kuna, ID, are allowed to keep backyard chickens, but the limit is three hens, and roosters are not permitted. Kuna City also has rules in place for coop setup and proper handling of manure to ensure cleanliness and compliance.

Does Lewiston, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, chickens are allowed in Lewiston, Idaho, but only under the city’s zoning and animal regulations. Residents must follow standards set by Chapter 37 / Zoning – Article XV, Animal Rights, Livestock & Pasture for keeping animals in the city.

Does Meridian, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are permitted in Meridian, ID, but they come with specific guidelines. While city rules allow residents to keep hens, roosters are typically not allowed. Recent updates to legislation give homeowners the right to maintain a small flock, though HOAs may still enforce their own standards for coop placement, care, and waste management.

Does Middletown, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, backyard chickens are permitted in Middleton, Idaho, but with certain limitations. Residents may keep up to four hens; roosters are not allowed, and selling eggs or chickens commercially is prohibited. Although Senate Bill 1026 sought to make regulations more flexible and restrict HOA bans, it did not pass, so current city ordinances and HOA rules remain in effect.

Does Moscow, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Moscow, Idaho, has an “Animals and Fowl” ordinance that generally prohibits keeping poultry, fowl, or livestock within city limits except where allowed under specific exceptions.

Does Mountain Home, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, in Mountain Home, ID, backyard hens are allowed under certain limits. The city code prohibits keeping poultry generally, but makes an exception for up to three (3) hens on a parcel of property.

Does Nampa, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Nampa, ID does allow backyard chickens under certain conditions. According to the City of Nampa’s FAQ page, residents inside city limits may keep up to 10 hens, but roosters are not allowed.

Does Pocatello, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Pocatello, Idaho, allows backyard chickens, but you must apply for a special permit to keep small livestock. 

Does Post Falls, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Post Falls, ID, does allow backyard chickens under specific restrictions. Residents are permitted to keep up to 10 hens, no roosters are allowed.

Does Rathdrum, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Rathdrum, Idaho, does allow backyard chickens, but only under specific conditions. Residents may keep up to ten hens on a single-family lot, though roosters are not permitted anywhere within city limits. Coops must follow setback rules: they need to be thirty feet from the front property line, five feet from the sides and rear, fifteen feet from the house on the same lot, and at least twenty-five feet from neighboring homes. The ordinance does leave some room for flexibility, allowing a coop to sit closer to a shared fence if the adjacent property owner provides written approval.

Does Rexburg, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, chickens are allowed in Rexburg, Idaho, but under certain zoning and ordinance restrictions. The city’s Development Code (Ordinance 1302 / Amendment to Ord 1200) addresses “livestock permitted zones,” which implies that backyard chickens are regulated. Also, community discussion confirms that Rexburg currently allows residents to keep chickens within city limits. 

Does Sandpoint, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Sandpoint, Idaho, does allow residents to keep backyard chickens, but the rules aren’t laid out as clearly as in some nearby cities. The municipal code doesn’t specifically mention poultry in its animal control section, and regulations instead fall under zoning and land use provisions. This means whether or not you can keep hens often depends on your property’s zoning designation and lot size, and in some cases a permit may be required. Because of this, it’s best for Sandpoint residents interested in keeping chickens to confirm with the city’s planning department to make sure they meet the current requirements.

Does Star, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, the city of Star, Idaho, does allow backyard chickens, but only under strict guidelines. Residents with single-family lots of at least 5,000 square feet may keep up to three hens, while roosters are not permitted. Coops must be located in the backyard, at least 10 feet from property lines (or 2 feet if bordering an alley), and cannot be attached to shared fences or placed in front or side yards. All enclosures and feed must be secured to deter pests, and chickens are not allowed on duplex, multi-family, or commercial properties. Additionally, selling eggs or chickens for profit from a residence is prohibited.

Does Twin Falls, ID, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Twin Falls, Idaho, allows people to keep backyard hens under certain rules. You can have up to four hens without needing a permit. Roosters are prohibited anywhere within city limits. If you want more than four, you must apply for a permit and meet the city’s spacing and property requirements. 

Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Idaho By County

Laws for keeping backyard chickens in Idaho can vary from one county to another, with each local government setting its own rules. Some counties may allow small flocks with minimal restrictions, while others place limits on the number of hens, require permits, or prohibit roosters. For the most accurate information, it’s best to check directly with your county’s planning or zoning department before starting your flock.

Excited to Begin Your Backyard Chicken Adventure?

Excited to begin your backyard chicken adventure? At The Hen House Collection, we make it easy to raise your own flock while staying compliant with local coop regulations. Every city has its own rules on setbacks, enclosure sizes, and design requirements, and our coops are built with that in mind. Each model is fully customizable, allowing you to choose the right size, layout, and features so your setup not only fits your backyard but also aligns with local ordinances. With high-quality materials and smart design, our coops give you peace of mind knowing you’re raising chickens in a way that’s both durable and regulation-friendly. From roll-away nesting boxes that keep your eggs clean to predator-proof latches that protect your hens, every detail is thoughtfully built with chicken keepers in mind. You can even add upgrades like solar lighting, automatic chicken doors, and insulation to make daily care easier and more efficient. With these practical features, your chickens will stay safe, healthy, and productive, while you enjoy fresh eggs right from your backyard. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your flock, our coops are made to grow with you. Begin your journey today with a coop that’s built to give both you and your chickens the comfort, protection, and peace of mind you deserve.