Covington, KY Chicken Laws: Hens, Roosters, Permits and Coop Rules

Coop Ready Kentucky Covington

Hens allowed

Yes. Covington allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.

Code section 90.18 lets residents keep non-crowing fowl for non-commercial use in a covered, predator-proof, ventilated, odor-free coop with at least 3 sq ft per bird and latched doors. Feed must be stored in rodent-proof containers and birds may not run at large. Keeping fowl for commercial purposes within 100 ft of a residence is banned.

Hen limit

8 on lots under 1/2 acre; no cap stated for larger lots

Roosters

Not named; the code only allows non-crowing fowl such as hens

Permit

No

Coop placement

At least 10 ft from any home occupied by someone else and 4 ft from your own house

Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.

Read the official Covington rules ↗ Checked October 2026.

Will your coop fit in Covington?

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Backyard chicken questions in Covington

How many chickens can I have in Covington?

The hen limit in Covington: 8 on lots under 1/2 acre; no cap stated for larger lots.

Are roosters allowed in Covington?

The rooster rule in Covington: not named; the code only allows non-crowing fowl such as hens.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Covington?

No. Covington does not require a permit to keep hens; up to 8 are allowed on lots under half an acre.

How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Covington?

Where the coop can go in Covington: at least 10 ft from any home occupied by someone else and 4 ft from your own house.

Can my HOA ban chickens if Covington allows them?

Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.

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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 Covington before you build.