If you’re dreaming of gathering fresh eggs each morning or simply enjoying the charm chickens bring to your backyard, you might be wondering, “Can I have chickens in my backyard in Nebraska?” Sorting through city codes and permit requirements can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we can help.
We’ve gathered the key rules from major cities across Nebraska, including how many chickens you can keep, coop requirements, and what permits you might need, so you can spend less time researching and more time planning your perfect backyard flock.
Is It Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Nebraska?
Yes, it is typically legal to have chickens in your backyard in Nebraska, but it varies by city and town, so be sure to check with local officials to see if they allow them.
Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Nebraska?
Yes, most areas require a permit to keep backyard chickens. Although specific permit details vary by city and town. You can find out if you need a permit to keep chickens in your backyard by clicking the button below.
How Many Chickens Can I Have in Nebraska?
This varies depending on where you live, but on average, you can keep between 4 to 8 chickens. Some areas, like Grand Island and Lincoln, allow more than 8 chickens, while cities like Gering only allow a maximum of 4.
Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?
No, nearly all areas require that chickens be kept in a coop or other fenced-in enclosure and not be permitted to run at large.
This makes a chicken coop that complies with local regulations an essential if you’re interested in keeping backyard chickens in Nebraska.
Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Nebraska?
No, nearly all areas prohibit them, although there may be some exceptions if your property is above a certain size. It’s essential that you contact your local zoning officials to determine if roosters are permitted on your property.
Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Nebraska?
It depends. If you’re keeping chickens on a residentially zoned property, they typically can’t be used for commercial purposes, such as selling eggs. However, if your property is zoned agricultural or commercial, you can sell eggs in Nebraska once you’ve received approval and an egg number from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
The best way to confirm is to check with your local planning or zoning office first.
Chicken Laws For Cities in Nebraska
Local city and town officials set the standards for keeping backyard chickens across Nebraska. To find out what’s allowed in your area, click on your city below to view its requirements or contact the official listed on the right side of the chart.
Does Beatrice, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
The city may allow up to six backyard chickens, but it’s unclear if the legislation proposed in February 2024 was officially approved. To confirm the current regulations, contact the Planning and Zoning Department.
Does Bellevue, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, the city allows backyard chickens so long as a permit is obtained certifying that:
- No more than 7 hens are being kept
- No roosters are kept
- The chickens are kept in a coop/enclosure at all times
- Your coop or enclosure is no more than 120 square feet or 12 feet tall
- Your chickens are only located in your backyard
- The coop is no closer than 10 feet to any property line
If you have any questions or want to submit your chicken-keeping permit, contact the Planning Department.
Does Columbus, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It is unclear if backyard chickens are permitted in Columbus, Nebraska. For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does Fremont, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, chickens cannot be kept on residentially zoned properties within city limits. If you want to see this change, please contact your city council member.
Does Gering, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but you must adhere to the following requirements:
- Chickens are only kept in AGG, RRE, RL, RM, and GCE zoning districts
- You do not keep more than 4 chickens
- Chickens are kept in a coop or enclosure that’s no larger than 100 square feet
- Coop must be kept in a fenced-in backyard
- You may not sell eggs for commercial purposes
For more information or questions regarding permitting, contact the Engineering & Planning Department.
Does Grand Island, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but specific rules must be followed to have them, including:
- Depending on the property size, you may only keep a certain number of chickens:
- Only hens are kept, no roosters
- They are kept in a coop or enclosure that is:
- 10 feet from any property line
- 20 feet from any neighboring residence
For more information or help with permitting, contact the Regional Planning Department.
Does Gretna, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but only with a permit from the city certifying that you meet the following requirements:
- No more than 4 chickens are kept on a property of 1 acre or less
- No more than 10 chickens are kept on a property of 1 acre or more
- Chickens are kept in a coop with an attached run
- On properties less than one acre: Coop is no more than 32 square feet & 8 feet tall
- On properties of more than one acre: Coop is no more than 80 square feet & 10 feet tall
To submit your permit application or for additional information on these requirements, contact the Planning Department.
Does Hastings, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, backyard chickens may be kept only on properties with detached single-family residences, provided that:
- No more than 6 chickens are kept
- They must be kept in coops that are:
- 25 feet from neighboring residences
- 5 feet from the side yard lines
- 18 inches from the rear yard line
- Not kept in the front yard
Contact Development Services to determine if there are any permit requirements.
Does Kearney, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Sort of. You can keep chickens on RR-1 or RR-2 zoned properties, but only if your property is outside city limits. In this case, you must follow these rules:
- Your chickens are kept in your backyard only
- You may have up to 6 per acre, with a maximum of 20 total, regardless of property size
You may need to keep them in a coop and meet certain requirements for that structure. A permit may also be required, so check with the Planning & Zoning Department to ensure you comply with all applicable regulations.
Does La Vista, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
They are allowed so long as they are kept in an enclosure and a permit is obtained. However, specific details are unclear. For more information, contact the Planning Department.
Does Lexington, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, it appears that you cannot have backyard chickens, unless you are able to keep them 600 feet from any dwelling in the city, which is difficult for most homeowners to achieve. If you would like to see this change, contact the Development Services Director at 308-324-2341.
Does Lincoln, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, the city does allow backyard chickens with a permit if you meet the following requirements:
- You’re keeping between 3–20 chickens (in accordance with property space requirements)
- They are kept in a proper coop or enclosure that is:
- 5 feet from property lines
- 50 feet from any neighbor’s house
- No roosters are being kept
Permit applications can be submitted on Animal Control’s Permitting & Licensing page. To ensure that you meet property space requirements for the number of chickens you can have and applicable setbacks, contact the Planning Department.
Does Norfolk, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, you can have backyard chickens in A, R-R, S-R, R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zoning districts in Norfolk, Nebraska with a permit, so long as you adhere to the following standards:
- No more than 4 chickens are kept on a property
- Chickens are only kept in the backyard
- Chicken coops or enclosures are located no closer than 10 feet from property lines
- Chicken coops or enclosures are located no closer than 40 feet from any neighbor’s home
- Chicken coop or enclosure is no closer than 10 feet from any other structures on the property
- Chickens must be kept in a predator-proof coop or enclosure
- No coop or enclosure is larger than 90 square feet or 7 feet tall
For more information or help submitting a permit application, reach out to the Planning & Development Department.
Does North Platte, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
It appears that backyard chickens are allowed as long as they are not permitted to run at large and are kept at least 25 feet from any nearby residence. However, specific details are unclear. For more information, contact the city’s Planning & Development Department.
Does Omaha, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Yes, but they must be kept in a coop or enclosure on private property. A permit is also required that lists the number and type of chickens being kept, along with any other information requested by the Planning Department. Be sure to contact their office for specific permit details.
Does Papillion, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
No, the city does not currently permit them. If you would like to see this change, reach out to your city council member.
Does Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
Backyard chickens are likely permitted, so long as they are not permitted to run at large, but specific details are unclear. For more information, contact the Planning & Zoning Department.
Does York, Nebraska, Allow Backyard Chickens?
You can keep backyard chickens if they are kept in a coop or enclosure on a private property that is located 50 feet from any neighboring home or business. Specific details around permit requirements, setbacks, the number of chickens, and more are unclear. For more information, contact the Building & Zoning Department.
Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Nebraska By County
In most cases, backyard chicken laws are set by city and town officials. However, if you live in an unincorporated area, it’s essential that you conform with county regulations. Contact your county official below for more information on their backyard chicken-keeping requirements.
Start Building Your Perfect, Nebraska-Compliant Backyard Coop
As you’ve learned in this article, a chicken coop is an essential part of keeping chickens in your backyard in Nebraska. Many areas enforce requirements for predator-proofing, cleanliness, size, and setbacks, which can make finding the right coop a challenge.
With The Hen House Collection, you can design a custom coop with the features needed to meet local regulations and match your preferences, or choose from a selection of prebuilt coops available in a range of sizes. Each one is built with durability, easy cleaning, and predator protection in mind, making it simple to comply with local standards.
Start designing your custom coop or browse our ready-to-order models today.
