Coop Ready Kentucky Owensboro
Allowed with a permit
Yes, with a permit. Owensboro allows backyard hens, but you need a permit first.
Ordinance 15-2025 (Sept 2025) allows up to 6 hens in the backyard of a single-family home on a lot zoned single-family; not at apartments, businesses or industrial sites. The coop must be covered, predator-proof, ventilated and give at least 3 sq ft per bird, and feed must be in rodent-proof containers. No commercial keeping; renters need landlord approval, and HOA or deed rules can still ban chickens.
Hen limit
6
Roosters
Banned
Permit
Yes: $25 one-time permit from Public Works, renewed free each year
Coop placement
10 ft from property lines and 40 ft from neighboring homes or businesses
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Owensboro rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Owensboro?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Owensboro rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Owensboro
How many chickens can I have in Owensboro?
Up to 6 hens on a typical home lot.
Are roosters allowed in Owensboro?
No. Owensboro bans roosters and any fowl other than hens.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Owensboro?
Yes. Owensboro requires a $25 permit from Public Works before you keep hens, renewed each year at no cost.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Owensboro?
Where the coop can go in Owensboro: 10 ft from property lines and 40 ft from neighboring homes or businesses.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Owensboro allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
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- Texas chicken laws
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Owensboro before you build.
