You’ve probably noticed something: figuring out if you can keep chickens on your property isn’t simple. You check the code, check it again, compare notes from different sources, and still end up with conflicting answers. Most people do.
That’s why we pulled together every backyard chicken requirement for your area in one place, along with the exact office you can contact when you need a clear answer. This gives you a straightforward path so you can stop guessing and move forward with confidence.
Is It Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Kansas?
Yes and no. It varies depending on where you live. For example, if you reside in Andover, the answer is yes, but if you reside in Liberal, then the answer is no. To find out what your area allows, skip ahead to your city.
Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Kansas?
Again, yes and no. Some areas, such as Emporia, require a permit, while others, like Manhattan, do not. To find out what your area requires, click the button below.
How Many Chickens Can I Have in Kansas?
On average, you can keep between 6 and 10 chickens in Kansas. However, the exact amount depends on where you reside, property size, and zoning. For example, Emporia only allows 4 hens while Lawrence allows up to 20. To find out what your area requires, skip to your city below.
Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?
No. Every city on this list requires a chicken coop or enclosed area and prohibits chickens from roaming at large. Each one sets its own standards for size, features, placement, and overall design.
If you want a coop that fits your local rules, request a quote, and we can build one that meets your area’s requirements.
Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Kansas?
No, most areas prohibit them unless your property is over a certain size. For example, Overland Park allows roosters on properties with more than 3 acres.
Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Kansas?
In most cases, you can’t sell chicken eggs if they are being kept on a residentially zoned property. However, if your property is zoned for commercial purposes or your area allows it, you can sell chicken eggs under the following conditions:
- For large operations:
- An egg license is required
- There is an inspection fee for graded eggs
- Any eggs sold to restaurants or grocery stores must be at least Grade B
- Small Flock Exemptions:
- Producers with 250 eggs or fewer do not need a license to sell their own ungraded eggs directly to the end consumer
For help with permitting, or if you have any questions, contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Chicken Laws For Cities in Kansas
In most cases, backyard chicken laws are enforced by city, town, or other local officials. Below are 25 major cities in Kansas, along with their point of contact for whether backyard chickens are allowed. You can click on your city on the left side of the chart to be taken to its backyard chicken requirements.
Does Andover, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but they must be kept in accordance with the following standards:
- Number of Chickens:
- They are kept in an enclosed building or structure that prevents noxious odors and sounds from emanating from the property.
For more details on keeping chickens in your backyard in Andover, contact the Planning and Zoning Department.
Does Derby, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, the city allows up to 6 backyard chickens, but only hens, and not roosters. The Planning and Zoning Department can provide you with more information on the requirements for keeping them.
Does Dodge City, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but they can only be kept with a permit. You may only be permitted to keep a certain number of hens based on your property’s zoning, acreage, facilities on the property, and whether or not you have a history of animal control complaints. To determine if you would receive approval to keep chickens in your backyard, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Emporia, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can have up to 4 chickens with a permit from the City Clerk’s office. Roosters are not permitted. They will need to be kept in a coop or enclosure that meets the following requirements:
- It’s kept clean and sanitary at all times.
- There are at least 12 square feet per chicken.
- The coop is no larger than 50 square feet.
- The coop is no closer than 10 feet from the lot line.
- It is no closer than 50 feet from any dwelling, church, school, business, or other building.
For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Garden City, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but you must follow a specific set of standards. The rules for keeping backyard chickens in Garden City, Kansas, are as follows:
- Number of Chickens: 1 per 500 sq. ft. of lot area; no more than 12 regardless of property size. No roosters.
- Coop Requirements:
- Size: Must provide 3 sq.ft. per bird if it has an attached run; 10 sq.ft. if it does not.
- Nesting Boxes: Must have one square foot of box space per 3 hens; bedding required.
- Setbacks: 10 feet from your home and 75 feet from neighboring dwellings
To ensure compliance with all applicable standards, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Gardner, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, with a Farming/Homestead Permit, you can keep certain farm animals like chickens in your backyard, but you must meet the following criteria:
- Number of Chickens: 1 per 1,000 sq.ft. No roosters.
- Coop Requirements:
- Chickens must be kept in a coop or enclosure that’s located in the rear yard only.
- It must be located 30 feet from any neighbor’s dwelling.
- It must be located 9 feet from the side and rear lot lines.
- The coop must provide 10 square feet per chicken.
For help with your permit application or any questions, call the Planning Department at (913)-856-0913.
Does Hays, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, the city does not permit backyard chickens to be kept on residential properties.
Does Hutchinson, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, so long as the following requirements are met:
- Number of Chickens: 5 hens. No roosters.
- Coop Requirements:
- It must be 15 feet from the side property lines and 10 feet from the rear property lines.
- They must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
- A permit is required to keep them.
For help with permitting or if you have any questions, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Junction City, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, the city does not currently allow backyard chickens. If you would like to see this change, contact the Planning Commission.
Does Kansas City, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can keep up to 6 hens in a coop in residential areas within the city. Roosters are not permitted. Your chicken coop must meet the following setbacks:
- 25 feet from any building used by people, except the owner’s home
- 10 feet from the property line
For more information or permitting questions, contact the Planning & Urban Design Department.
Does Lawrence, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but only under the following conditions:
- Number of Chickens: 1 per 500 square feet; No more than 20 regardless of lot size.
- Coop Requirements:
- Your coop must provide your chickens with adequate protection from predators.
- It must provide 3 square feet of space per chicken in the run or 10 square feet total if there is no attached run.
- It must be the setback requirements for an accessory structure in your zoning district.
- You must have one roost that’s at least eight square inches for each chicken.
- For every 3 chickens, you must have at least one nesting box that provides at least one square foot of space.
For information on setback requirements or permitting, please be sure to contact the Planning & Development Department.
Does Leawood, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It appears that the city does not currently allow backyard chickens. You can find out more about the city’s current requirements by contacting Planning Services.
Does Leavenworth, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can have up to 15 chickens in your backyard, provided that you only keep hens and not roosters. They must be kept in a coop that’s at least 75 feet from any neighbor’s home. Please be sure to check with the Planning & Community Development Department to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
Does Lenexa, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but only in Agricultural (AE), Residential Estate (RE), and Planned Residential Estate (RPE) zoning districts. The number you can have and other requirements depend on which zoning district you reside in and your lot size. Here’s a brief look at the requirements in your zoning district:
- Agricultural
- Planned RE/Residential Estate
- Setbacks:
- 100 feet from any neighboring dwelling
- 100 feet from the front lot line or the front building line, whichever is greater
- 25 feet from the side or rear property lines
To ensure compliance with all applicable regulations for your zoning district, contact the Planning Department.
Does Liberal, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, the city does not currently allow them, but residents do have a petition to change this. If you’d like to show your support, please reach out to the City Commission and encourage them to amend their backyard chicken laws.
Does Manhattan, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can have any number of backyard chickens; no permit is needed in Manhattan, so long as they are not permitted to run at large. They must be kept in a chicken coop, pen, or other enclosure that is located at least 25 feet from another person’s home. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact the Community Development Department.
Does Newton, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, with a permit from the Animal Control Department, you can keep backyard chickens under the following requirements:
- Number of Chickens: 12 hens. No roosters.
- Coop Requirements:
- Must have a predator-proof coop with an attached run
- It must be well-ventilated and designed for ease of cleaning
- Must have predator-proof doors and windows
- The coop and run must provide a total of 6 square feet per chicken
To learn more about setbacks and other applicable requirements, contact the Building & Zoning Department.
Does Olathe, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but there are certain requirements you must meet, including:
- Number of Chickens:
- Property of less than 3 acres: 10 hens. No roosters.
- Properties with 3 acres or more: No maximum.
- Permit Required?
- Property of less than 3 acres: Yes
- Properties with 3 acres or more: No
- Coop Requirements:
- Setbacks: 6 feet
- Location: Side and rear yard only
- Must provide 2 square feet of space per chicken and include an attached run
- Size: No larger than 84 feet without a special permit
If you have any questions or need help with the permit process, please contact the Planning Department.
Does Overland Park, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, with a permit, you can keep chickens in your backyard in Overland Park under the following conditions:
- Number of Chickens:
- 0.20-0.49 acres: 3 hens. No roosters.
- 0.5-0.99 acres: 6 hens. No roosters.
- 1-3 acres: 12 hens. No roosters.
- 3+ acres: Unlimited. Roosters permitted.
- Coop Requirements:
- Must be located in the rear yard only, not in the front or side yard.
- Must meet setback and placement requirements of your zoning district.
Additional requirements apply. For help with permitting and setbacks, contact Planning and Development Services.
Does Pittsburg, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but only if you have at least one acre of dedicated space for them. They may still not be allowed on properties of one acre if there isn’t at least one acre of space for the chickens. To find out if you’re allowed to keep chickens on your property, contact the Planning and Zoning Department.
Does Prairie Village, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
You can keep chickens in Prairie Village if you follow the rules in the city’s 2020 ordinance.
The requirements are as follows:
- Number of Chickens: 8 chicks. 6 hens. No roosters.
- Coop Requirements:
- Must provide 12 square feet per chicken and cannot exceed 84 square feet total.
- Must be 10 feet from a lot’s property line and 25 feet from any buildings.
You can learn more about the city’s requirements by contacting animal control at (913) 385-4631.
Does Salina, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can keep up to 15 chickens in compliance with the following regulations:
- Coop Requirements:
- Only located in the rear yard; not the side or front yard.
- It must be covered by a fence.
- It must be 50 feet from any dwelling or occupied building.
Additional requirements may apply. For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Shawnee, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
You can keep backyard chickens in Shawnee, Kansas, with a special annual permit certifying that the following requirements are met:
- Number of Chickens: 10
- Coop Requirements:
- 10 feet from property lines
- 40 feet from dwellings or other occupied buildings
- Provides at least 2 square feet per chicken
- It is no larger than 100 square feet
Be sure to submit your permit application to the City Clerk and contact that office with any questions.
Does Topeka, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes. Chickens are allowed as long as the coop sits at least fifty feet from any dwelling that you do not live in. The ordinance does not set a specific limit on flock size, although other rules may still apply. Confirm all requirements with the Planning and Development Department before you begin.
Does Wichita, Kansas, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but you will need an animal maintenance permit to keep them. This certifies that you’ll adhere to the following standards:
- Number of Chickens:
- Use: Personal or hobby only
- Coop Requirements:
- Must be located 50 feet from neighboring dwelling and 10 feet from the property line
Please be sure to file a permit application with Animal Control. Contact them at 316-350-3360, so they can assist you with any questions.
Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Kansas By County
In most cases, cities, towns, and other local officials are responsible for setting backyard chicken laws. However, if you live in an unincorporated area, you have to refer to your next most local official, the county. Below are all 105 counties in Kansas, along with the appropriate official to contact for more information on backyard chicken laws.
Build A Backyard Chicken Coop That Complies With Local Regulations
Now that you have a clear understanding of your area’s requirements, you’re one step closer to having chickens in your backyard. Before bringing your flock home, be sure to obtain any required permits and add a chicken coop to your property that meets local regulations and provides your flock with the necessary space.
To ensure your coop fits your yard and complies with Kansas’ regulations, build a custom chicken coop with The Hen House Collection. You can choose from various sizes, layouts, nesting boxes, attached runs, and other features to create a compliant setup that makes caring for your flock easy. Once the permit is approved and your coop is ready to go, you can enjoy farm-fresh eggs in your backyard without a worry.
