Quick answer
A coop setback is the minimum distance your coop must sit from something: usually your lot line, your neighbor’s house, or any home including yours. Most cities use 5 to 25 feet from a lot line or 20 to 50 feet from a neighbor’s house, and a few ask for 100 feet or more.
- Read which line the rule measures from. Lot line and neighbor’s house are very different on a small lot.
- Measure from the nearest edge of the coop, and of the run if your city counts it.
- Many cities also keep coops out of the front yard.
The setback is the rule that decides whether a coop fits on your lot at all. A 50 foot rule from a neighbor’s house can rule out a whole city lot, while a 5 foot rule from the lot line almost never does. Here is how setbacks work, how to measure yours, and the rule in every city and county on Coop Ready.
The three ways cities measure coop distance
- From the lot line. The coop must sit a set distance inside your property line, such as 10 feet from the side and rear lines. Some codes give different numbers for the front, side and rear, and corner lots often count both street sides as front.
- From a neighbor’s house. The coop must be a set distance from any home on the lots next door, measured to the house wall, not their lot line. This is the rule that gets tight on narrow lots.
- From any home, including yours. A few codes count every dwelling. Washington, DC is one, so the coop has to clear your own house too.
Some cities use two rules at once, like 20 feet from the lot line and 50 feet from a neighbor’s house. Others raise the number as the flock grows, or let neighbors waive the distance in writing. Your city’s page on Coop Ready links the exact code section we read.
How to measure your coop setback
- Find your real lot lines. The fence is often not on the line. Your county’s online parcel map or your closing papers show the true shape.
- Work out which line is the front (the street side), which are the sides and which is the rear.
- Measure from the closest corner of the coop, not its center, to the line or the neighbor’s wall. If your city counts the run or pen, measure from the run too.
- Leave a few feet of slack. A coop that clears the rule by an inch on paper can fail on the ground.
The free Coop Ready planner does this on a satellite map. Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor’s house, tap the street side, and it shades the part of the yard that clears every distance rule for your city. Then print a free permit site plan with the distances marked.
Coop setback rules by city
This table updates as we add cities. “Not on a map” means the rule is something like accessory building setbacks or “rear yard only” that the code does not give as a single distance.
247places that allow hens
91measure from the lot line
109measure from a home
20 ftmiddle distance where one is set
43need 50 ft or more
47set no map-measurable distance
| City | Measured from | Distance | The rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL Alabama | Any home (yours too) | 100 ft | Pen at least 100 ft from any dwelling, church, school, park or street |
| Avondale, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from neighboring property |
| Buckeye, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Roofed enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from the neighboring property line |
| Casa Grande, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from neighboring properties |
| Chandler, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop in the side or rear yard, at least 5 ft from any lot line |
| Flagstaff, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop 10 ft from a side or rear line next to another home lot and 20 ft from the nearest neighbor's home |
| Gilbert, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure in the side or rear yard, at least 20 ft from every lot line |
| Glendale, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure at least 20 ft from neighboring property and 10 ft from your house and other structures |
| Goodyear, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from neighboring property |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Roofed enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from the neighboring property line |
| Marana, AZ Arizona | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | ER and NR: coop 20 ft from any home on another lot; GR: 20 ft from the neighboring property line |
| Mesa, AZ Arizona | Neighbor's home | 75 ft | Run 40 ft and coop 75 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Oro Valley, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | On lots of half an acre or less, 20 ft from neighboring property; larger lots use main building setbacks |
| Phoenix, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | 20 ft from the property line |
| Prescott Valley, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 1 ft | Coop at least 1 ft from property or easement lines |
| Scottsdale, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Rear-yard enclosure 20 ft from property lines |
| Sierra Vista, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Secure enclosure in the rear or side yard, at least 20 ft from neighboring property |
| Tempe, AZ Arizona | Not on a map | — | No chicken setback stated |
| Tucson, AZ Arizona | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | 20 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Yuma, AZ Arizona | Lot line | 20 ft | Enclosure in the backyard or side yard, at least 20 ft from neighboring property (30 ft on lots over half an acre) |
| Bentonville, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Hen enclosure in a side or rear yard, at least 25 ft from neighboring homes |
| Conway, AR Arkansas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Fayetteville, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from any house on a neighboring lot, plus the zoning district's building setbacks |
| Fort Smith, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coops, roosts and water features at least 25 ft from a house on the next lot |
| Jonesboro, AR Arkansas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Little Rock, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Pen or yard at least 25 ft from the nearest neighbor's house or any business, and 5 ft from your own house |
| North Little Rock, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 75 ft | Coop at least 75 ft from any neighboring home or building |
| Rogers, AR Arkansas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Anaheim, CA California | Lot line | 20 ft | 20 ft from property lines and 50 ft from any home except the owner's |
| Elk Grove, CA California | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop at least 5 ft from side and rear property lines |
| Escondido, CA California | Any home (yours too) | 20 ft | Enclosure 20 ft from any home; 15 ft from front and side lines, 10 ft from the rear line |
| Folsom, CA California | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop at least 5 ft from any property line and 20 ft from neighboring homes |
| Fremont, CA California | Lot line | 10 ft | Enclosure 10 ft from any property line for 1 to 5 hens; 35 ft for 6 or more |
| Long Beach, CA California | Neighbor's home | 10 ft | 10 ft from any neighboring home for 1 to 4 hens; 35 ft for 5 to 10; 50 ft for 11 to 20 |
| Los Angeles, CA California | Neighbor's home | 35 ft | 35 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Modesto, CA California | Any home (yours too) | 40 ft | Coop 40 ft from any window or door of a home, including your own |
| Oakland, CA California | Any home (yours too) | 20 ft | 20 ft from homes |
| Riverside, CA California | Neighbor's home | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from any neighboring home, plus accessory-structure rules |
| Roseville, CA California | Lot line | 20 ft | Outdoor enclosure at least 20 ft from any property line |
| Sacramento, CA California | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | 20 ft from a neighbor's home |
| San Diego, CA California | Lot line | 5 ft to 13 ft | Rear yard; 5 ft from side lines, 13 ft from rear |
| San Francisco, CA California | Any home (yours too) | 20 ft | 20 ft from doors and windows of homes |
| San Jose, CA California | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from any neighbor's home; more birds need more distance |
| Santa Ana, CA California | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Birds at least 30 ft from any neighbor's home |
| Santa Rosa, CA California | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop 5 ft from side and rear lines (10 ft for more than 6 hens) and 20 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Stockton, CA California | Lot line | 5 ft | Side or rear yard, 5 ft from property lines and 20 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Aurora, CO Colorado | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop and run at least 15 ft from any property line unless neighbors consent in writing |
| Colorado Springs, CO Colorado | Not on a map | — | Set by zoning rules |
| Denver, CO Colorado | Neighbor's home | 15 ft | Coop at least 15 ft from a home on an abutting lot, in the rear half of the lot |
| Fort Collins, CO Colorado | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop and run 15 ft from abutting property lines unless neighbors consent in writing |
| Lakewood, CO Colorado | Not on a map | — | R-1-9 and larger: coop 15 ft from side and rear lines. R-1-6 and R-2: accessory setbacks (5 ft) |
| Longmont, CO Colorado | Lot line | 6 ft | Coop at least 6 ft from side and rear property lines and from any other structure |
| Thornton, CO Colorado | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop at least 5 ft from side and rear property lines |
| Westminster, CO Colorado | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from side and rear property lines |
| Washington, DC District of Columbia | Any home (yours too) | 50 ft | 50 ft from any dwelling (including yours) and 250 ft from property lines unless all neighbors within 100 ft consent in writing |
| Jacksonville, FL Florida | Lot line | 5 ft | Rear yard only, screened from neighbors; coop 5 ft from lot lines |
| Miami, FL Florida | Any home (yours too) | 100 ft | 100 ft from any home |
| Orlando, FL Florida | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Rear yard; 20 ft from neighbors' homes, 5 ft from lot lines and 5 ft from your home |
| St. Petersburg, FL Florida | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop 50 ft from any home other than yours, unless that neighbor agrees in writing |
| Tallahassee, FL Florida | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Hens kept at least 20 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Tampa, FL Florida | Not on a map | — | Accessory structure rules |
| Alpharetta, GA Georgia | Lot line | 25 ft | Coop and run at least 25 ft from rear and side property lines |
| Athens, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Rear yard, at least 20 ft from homes on neighboring parcels; distance from the property line depends on the zone (10 to 50 ft) |
| Atlanta, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | 50 ft from other homes |
| Augusta, GA Georgia | Not on a map | — | No coop setback in the code |
| Brookhaven, GA Georgia | Lot line | 7.5 ft | Coop at least 7.5 ft from any property line, in the side or rear yard |
| Cherokee County, GA Georgia | Lot line | 25 ft | Enclosure at least 25 ft from property lines and 50 ft from homes on neighboring lots |
| Cobb County, GA Georgia | Lot line | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from any property line |
| Columbus, GA Georgia | Lot line | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any lot line |
| DeKalb County, GA Georgia | Lot line | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from any property line and 50 ft from any home other than yours |
| Decatur, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 75 ft | Coop at least the width of the lot (75 ft if the lot is 75 ft or wider) from any home other than the owner's |
| Dunwoody, GA Georgia | Lot line | 15 ft to 35 ft | Rear yard, at least 35 ft from the rear line, 15 ft from side lines and 20 ft from corner-side lines |
| Forsyth County, GA Georgia | Lot line | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from rear and side lines and 50 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Gwinnett County, GA Georgia | Lot line | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from any property line and 50 ft from a home on an adjoining parcel |
| Johns Creek, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 100 ft | Birds kept at least 100 ft from any occupied building other than the owner's home |
| Macon, GA Georgia | Lot line | 15 ft | At least 15 ft from side and rear property lines, behind the back wall of the house, and closer to your home than to your neighbor's |
| Marietta, GA Georgia | Lot line | 20 ft | Fenced area in the rear yard at least 20 ft from any property line and 10 ft from the house |
| Roswell, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Enclosure at least 25 ft from any home on an abutting lot |
| Sandy Springs, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Birds kept at least 25 ft from any occupied building other than the owner's home |
| Savannah, GA Georgia | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | 25 ft from neighboring homes for up to 10 birds; 50 ft for more than 10. Neighbors can waive this in writing |
| Boise, ID Idaho | Neighbor's home | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from any home on an adjacent lot |
| Chicago, IL Illinois | Not on a map | — | None in the code |
| Bloomington, IN Indiana | Lot line | 12 ft | Coop and run at least 12 ft from any neighboring property line and 20 ft from any neighbor's home |
| Carmel, IN Indiana | Lot line | 5 ft | Accessory-building rules: 25 ft behind the front of the house and at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines |
| Evansville, IN Indiana | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any neighbor's home |
| Fishers, IN Indiana | Lot line | 100 ft | Coops and pens 100 ft from property lines in ER zones and 200 ft in AG zones |
| Gary, IN Indiana | Neighbor's home | 200 ft | The animal code bars poultry within 200 ft of anyone else's home; the 2026 zoning code also sets coop setbacks by lot width (30 ft front, 5 ft sides, 10 ft rear on lots under 50 ft wide) |
| Indianapolis, IN Indiana | Not on a map | — | Not in the front yard; coop meets the district setbacks |
| Lafayette, IN Indiana | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop and pen behind the house, at least 10 ft from any property line and 20 ft from any home you do not own or live in |
| South Bend, IN Indiana | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop and pen in the back yard, at least 15 ft from every property line and 20 ft from any home |
| Bowling Green, KY Kentucky | Not on a map | — | None stated for poultry |
| Covington, KY Kentucky | Neighbor's home | 10 ft | At least 10 ft from any home occupied by someone else and 4 ft from your own house |
| Lexington, KY Kentucky | Not on a map | — | None stated for chickens in the animal code |
| Louisville, KY Kentucky | Not on a map | — | None stated in Metro Code |
| Owensboro, KY Kentucky | Lot line | 10 ft | 10 ft from property lines and 40 ft from neighboring homes or businesses |
| Richmond, KY Kentucky | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| New Orleans, LA Louisiana | Lot line | 10 ft | Rear yard only, at least 10 ft from all lot lines and 10 ft from any dwelling |
| Baltimore, MD Maryland | Any home (yours too) | 15 ft | 15 ft from homes |
| Boston, MA Massachusetts | Lot line | 5 ft | Rear yard; 5 ft from lot lines |
| Detroit, MI Michigan | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | 30 ft from neighbors' homes, 5 ft from the property line, in the rear yard |
| Minneapolis, MN Minnesota | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | 20 ft from neighbors' buildings |
| Kansas City, MO Missouri | Neighbor's home | 100 ft | 100 ft from other homes |
| St. Louis, MO Missouri | Lot line | 1.5 ft | Coop 1.5 ft from lot lines (10 ft from neighbors' homes where there is a solid fence); not in the front yard |
| Omaha, NE Nebraska | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | 30 ft from neighbors' homes; pen 4 ft from rear and side lines and 60 ft from the front line |
| Las Vegas, NV Nevada | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | 20 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Albuquerque, NM New Mexico | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Albany, NY New York | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and run at least 25 ft from any occupied home on an adjoining lot (a neighbor can waive this in writing). Not in front of the house or a street-facing side wall. |
| Buffalo, NY New York | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Backyard only. Coop at least 20 ft from any door or window of a neighbor's home or other occupied building, 5 ft from side lot lines, and 18 in from the rear lot line (5 ft if that line borders a neighbor's side or front yard). |
| New York, NY New York | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Rochester, NY New York | Any home (yours too) | 25 ft | Coops and runs at least 25 ft from any dwelling or building people occupy daily. |
| Syracuse, NY New York | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Rear yard only. Coop at least 5 ft from side and rear property lines and at least 25 ft from any neighboring home. |
| Asheville, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop or pen at least 10 ft from lot lines, unless it is still at least 50 ft from the nearest neighbor's home |
| Cary, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop, pen and tractor in the back yard, at least 15 ft from side and rear lot lines, and closer to your house than to any neighbor's |
| Charlotte, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 25 ft | 25 ft from property lines |
| Concord, NC North Carolina | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop in the back yard, at least 50 ft from neighboring homes and the street; pen at least 5 ft from lot lines |
| Durham, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop at least 15 ft from any lot line or street; pen at least 5 ft |
| Fayetteville, NC North Carolina | Not on a map | — | None stated for coops; the coop must meet the district's accessory-structure setbacks |
| Greensboro, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 25 ft | Lots of 7,000 to 12,000 sq ft: coop 25 ft from every lot line and 50 ft from a neighbor's house. Lots over 12,000 sq ft: 50 ft from every lot line. Always behind the back wall of the house. |
| Greenville, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 80 ft | Coop at least 80 ft from any property line you do not own |
| High Point, NC North Carolina | Neighbor's home | 40 ft | Coop and run in the back yard, at least 40 ft from any home other than yours |
| Wilmington, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 10 ft | Back yard enclosure at least 10 ft from any property line and 25 ft from any other home |
| Winston-Salem, NC North Carolina | Lot line | 20 ft | Coop and run in the back yard, at least 20 ft from every neighboring property line |
| Akron, OH Ohio | Any home (yours too) | 100 ft | No poultry inside any home or within 100 ft of any home, including your own |
| Canton, OH Ohio | Any home (yours too) | 50 ft | Pens and runs at least 50 ft from any building used as a home, including your own |
| Cincinnati, OH Ohio | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop, feeders and water 10 ft from all property lines |
| Cleveland, OH Ohio | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop 5 ft from side lot lines and 18 in from the rear line; not in the front or street-side yard |
| Columbus, OH Ohio | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Toledo, OH Ohio | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from any door or window of a neighbor's home; 5 ft from side lot lines and 18 in from the rear line; not in the front yard |
| Broken Arrow, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 40 ft | Coop at least 40 ft from any home other than yours |
| Edmond, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 40 ft | Coop 40 ft from neighbors' homes; coop and run 5 ft from side and rear lot lines |
| Lawton, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and pen at least 25 ft from any home other than yours |
| Norman, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and run in the backyard, at least 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and 25 ft from any neighbor's home |
| Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | 30 ft from a neighbor's home; 5 ft from side lines and 10 ft from the rear line |
| Tulsa, OK Oklahoma | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | 50 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Ashland, OR Oregon | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from neighboring properties and 20 ft from homes on adjoining lots |
| Beaverton, OR Oregon | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Enclosure at least 20 ft from a neighboring home; not in the front yard |
| Bend, OR Oregon | Not on a map | — | No chicken coop distance stated |
| Corvallis, OR Oregon | Not on a map | — | No coop setback in the code |
| Eugene, OR Oregon | Lot line | 10 ft | Shelter at least 10 ft from all property lines (a neighbor can approve closer in writing) |
| Gresham, OR Oregon | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop and run at least 10 ft from property lines; coop 25 ft from homes on other lots |
| Hillsboro, OR Oregon | Lot line | 10 ft | Enclosure at least 10 ft from any property line, behind the front of the house |
| Lake Oswego, OR Oregon | Not on a map | — | Zoning setbacks for the coop; ask Planning |
| Medford, OR Oregon | Lot line | 4 ft | Pen, run or coop at least 4 ft from abutting property lines and out of the front yard setback |
| Portland, OR Oregon | Lot line | 3 ft | 3 ft from side and rear lines, 10 ft from the front |
| Salem, OR Oregon | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Rear yard, at least 25 ft from a home on an adjacent lot |
| Tigard, OR Oregon | Lot line | 5 ft | Shelter at least 5 ft from all lot lines (fenced runs are exempt) |
| Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania | Lot line | 75 ft | Pen, shelter or enclosure at least 75 ft from every lot line |
| Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania | Not on a map | — | No chicken setback; regular zoning setbacks apply |
| Reading, PA Pennsylvania | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Scranton, PA Pennsylvania | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any home other than yours; not in a front yard or a street-facing side yard |
| State College, PA Pennsylvania | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Coop and run at least 30 ft from any main building on a neighboring lot, plus accessory-structure setbacks |
| Charleston, SC South Carolina | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop 50 ft from any other home, unless residents within 50 ft give written permission |
| Columbia, SC South Carolina | Not on a map | — | No fixed distance. Screen the coop with shrubs or a privacy fence if it sits within 25 ft of a side or rear lot line or within 50 ft of a neighbor's home. |
| Greenville, SC South Carolina | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| North Charleston, SC South Carolina | Not on a map | — | None stated in the animal code |
| Spartanburg, SC South Carolina | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from the nearest home other than yours, and not in a front or side yard |
| Bartlett, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | None stated in the animal code |
| Chattanooga, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 5 ft | Rear yard only, at least 5 ft from any abutting property line |
| Clarksville, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop and run must be in the back yard, at least 10 ft from the rear and side property lines |
| Collierville, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Franklin, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | No fixed coop distance once a permit is granted; the 1,000 ft rule decides whether you need the permit |
| Hendersonville, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop and pen at least 15 ft from all property lines, unless the next lot also keeps such animals |
| Jackson, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 250 ft | Coop and run at least 100 ft from every abutting property line; no permit within 250 ft of any home or business property line |
| Kingsport, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | None stated for regular residential zones |
| Knoxville, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 10 ft | Not in the front yard; at least 10 ft from any abutting property line |
| Memphis, TN Tennessee | Lot line | 5 ft | Pen or yard at least 5 ft from property lines |
| Murfreesboro, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | None stated for hens |
| Nashville, TN Tennessee | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | 25 ft from other homes and 10 ft from the property line |
| Smyrna, TN Tennessee | Not on a map | — | Not confirmed |
| Allen, TX Texas | Lot line | 20 ft | Rear yard, 20 ft from any property line, not visible from the street |
| Arlington, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None for 4 hens; 50 ft for 5 or more |
| Austin, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Enclosure 30 ft from a neighbor's home or business (50 ft if a health hazard) |
| Baytown, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 200 ft | Coop at least 200 ft from a residential structure |
| Bedford, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | 50 ft from any neighbor's home or business |
| Boerne, TX Texas | Lot line | 20 ft | Coop 20 ft from the adjacent lot and 20 ft from any structure on the lot |
| Buda, TX Texas | Lot line | 10 ft | Pen at least 10 ft from side and rear lot lines, behind the front building line |
| Burleson, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and run 25 ft from any occupied building except the owner's; not in the front yard |
| Carrollton, TX Texas | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop 5 ft from property lines and 25 ft from neighbors' homes or businesses |
| Cedar Park, TX Texas | Lot line | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from all property lines |
| Conroe, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Fowl lot at least 20 ft from the nearest adjoining residence |
| Converse, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from every building except the owner's |
| Dallas, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None for hens; a rooster enclosure 20 ft from property lines |
| DeSoto, TX Texas | Lot line | 10 ft | For up to 6 birds: 50 ft from neighboring homes and 10 ft from the property line |
| Denton, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 150 ft | Enclosure at least 150 ft from any residence, business, school, hospital or nursing home |
| El Paso, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | 30 ft for permitted flocks |
| Euless, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Flower Mound, TX Texas | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from any property line |
| Fort Worth, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | 50 ft from other homes |
| Frisco, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated in the animal code |
| Galveston, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Garland, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Enclosure at least 30 ft from any neighbor's home and 5 ft from adjoining residential property |
| Georgetown, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from another person's home |
| Grand Prairie, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 150 ft | Every part of the coop 150 ft from any home, business or school other than the owner's |
| Grapevine, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Every part of the coop 50 ft from any home, business or school other than the owner's |
| Houston, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 100 ft | 100 ft from any home in city code |
| Hurst, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop 50 ft from any residence except the owner's |
| Hutto, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Pen more than 50 ft from any building or home occupied by others |
| Irving, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from any occupied building on another property |
| Katy, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 100 ft | Pen at least 100 ft from any home or business not on your land |
| Keller, TX Texas | Lot line | 5 ft | Pen or coop 5 ft from any property line |
| Kyle, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 20 ft | Coop at least 20 ft from neighboring homes |
| League City, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any home except the owner's |
| Leander, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any home except the owner's |
| Lewisville, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and run 25 ft from neighbors' homes or businesses (150 ft on lots of 1 acre or more) |
| Little Elm, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | 30 ft from any home except the owner's |
| Mansfield, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from neighbors' homes (70 ft or more for over 6 birds) |
| McKinney, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated for fowl |
| Missouri City, TX Texas | Lot line | 30 ft | Pen at least 30 ft from any adjoining property line |
| New Braunfels, TX Texas | Lot line | 10 ft | Covered coop at least 10 ft from adjacent property lines and 30 ft from neighbors' homes |
| North Richland Hills, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Coop 30 ft from neighbors' homes and 3 ft from property lines |
| Pasadena, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from any residence, including your own |
| Pflugerville, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated for hens |
| Plano, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 20 ft | Coop 20 ft from adjacent buildings (fewer than 5 animals); 50 ft for 5 or more |
| Prosper, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Richardson, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | No distance rule in the animal code; the coop meets building and zoning rules |
| Round Rock, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Pen more than 25 ft from any building or home occupied by others |
| Rowlett, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from the nearest home other than the owner's |
| San Antonio, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated for 8 or fewer |
| San Marcos, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Coop at least 30 ft from neighboring homes |
| Schertz, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 50 ft | Coop at least 50 ft from others' homes |
| Seguin, TX Texas | Lot line | 10 ft | Enclosure at least 10 ft from all property lines |
| The Colony, TX Texas | Any home (yours too) | 200 ft | Enclosure 200 ft from any inhabitable building, including your own |
| Tomball, TX Texas | Not on a map | — | None stated |
| Wylie, TX Texas | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | 25 ft from a neighbor's home; 5 ft from property lines |
| Orem, UT Utah | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop or chicken tractor at least 10 ft from all property lines and not in the front yard |
| Provo, UT Utah | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop in the rear yard, at least 15 ft from every property line and 6 ft from any dwelling |
| Salt Lake City, UT Utah | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Rear yard, at least 25 ft from any home on an adjacent lot |
| Sandy, UT Utah | Neighbor's home | 30 ft | Coop behind the house and at least 30 ft from neighboring homes, plus the normal accessory building setbacks |
| West Jordan, UT Utah | Lot line | 5 ft | Coop in the rear or interior side yard, at least 5 ft from the property line and 20 ft from the nearest home on a neighboring lot |
| West Valley City, UT Utah | Not on a map | — | No coop distance rule stated for household pet hens |
| Richmond, VA Virginia | Neighbor's home | 15 ft | At least 15 ft from any home on an adjacent lot; not in the front or street-side yard |
| Bellevue, WA Washington | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop at least 15 ft from any property line; birds kept from coming within 15 ft of a line |
| Bellingham, WA Washington | Any home (yours too) | 50 ft | Fowl confined so they cannot get within 50 ft of any dwelling or occupied building, including your own |
| Everett, WA Washington | Lot line | 5 ft | Enclosures and pens at least 5 ft from adjacent properties; no coops in front yards |
| Kent, WA Washington | Lot line | 10 ft | Coop at least 10 ft from any other residential lot |
| Olympia, WA Washington | Not on a map | — | No coop distance stated |
| Redmond, WA Washington | Lot line | 15 ft | Coop and run at least 15 ft from any property line (5 ft next to parks, schools, streets or wide easements) |
| Seattle, WA Washington | Neighbor's home | 10 ft | 10 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Spokane, WA Washington | Not on a map | — | Same setbacks as accessory structures |
| Tacoma, WA Washington | Any home (yours too) | 12 ft | Coop at least 12 ft from the nearest part of any residence |
| Vancouver, WA Washington | Not on a map | — | Shelter in the rear yard, meeting the house's side and rear setbacks |
| Appleton, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from a home, church, school or business on an abutting lot; coop and run 3 ft from side and rear lot lines; coop 10 ft from other buildings on your lot unless attached to a garage or shed; rear yard only |
| Green Bay, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop at least 25 ft from any home you do not own; not in a front or side yard |
| Kenosha, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and run at least 25 ft from any home on an adjacent lot (detached garages do not count); rear yard only |
| Madison, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop or enclosure at least 25 ft from any home on a neighboring lot |
| Milwaukee, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | 25 ft from neighbors' homes |
| Racine, WI Wisconsin | Neighbor's home | 25 ft | Coop and pen at least 25 ft from a neighbor's home, 2 ft from side and rear lot lines, 5 ft from your own house; back yard only; 75 ft from lakes and streams |
From the Coop Ready city list: 274 cities and counties in 34 states, 206 checked line by line against city code. Each city page links the code section we read. Rules change, so confirm with your city.
Other rules that move the coop
- Front yard bans: many codes say side or rear yard only, even when the distance would fit out front.
- Accessory building rules: a large coop can count as a shed, with its own setbacks, height limit and permit. The trigger is often around 120 to 200 square feet.
- Easements and utilities: keep coops off easements and call 811 before you dig post holes.
- HOA rules: covenants can be stricter than city code. See our guide to HOA chicken rules.
Frequently asked questions
How far does a chicken coop have to be from the property line?
It depends on the city. Lot line rules usually fall between 5 and 25 feet, and some cities set different numbers for the front, side and rear lines. Look up your city on Coop Ready to see its rule and the code it comes from.
How far does a coop have to be from my neighbor’s house?
Where cities measure from a neighbor’s home, 20 to 50 feet is common, and a few ask for 100 feet or more. The distance is measured to the house, not to the neighbor’s lot line.
Does the setback apply to the run too?
Sometimes. Some codes measure from the coop only, others from any pen, run or enclosure where birds are kept. Your city page notes when the run counts.
Can my neighbor waive the coop distance?
In a few cities, yes, usually in writing. St. Petersburg, Florida and Washington, DC both allow neighbor consent to replace a distance rule. Most cities do not.
What if my yard is too small to meet the setback?
Try a smaller coop placed in the corner farthest from neighbors’ houses, check whether the city offers a variance, or look at whether your county or a nearby city has looser rules if you are planning a move.
Coop Ready is a free planning aid, not legal advice. Codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with your city or county before you build.
