Gary, IN Chicken Laws: Hens, Roosters, Permit

Larger lots only

Gary's 2026 zoning code allows hens on lots of 5,000 sq ft or more, but an older city rule still bans poultry within 200 ft of a neighbor's home, so ask the city before you build.

Gary's new Unified Development Ordinance, in effect August 1, 2026, allows hens on single- and two-family lots, bans farm animals on lots of 2,500 sq ft or less, and limits coops to 6 ft tall. The older animal code section with the 200 ft rule appears to still be in force, which rules out most city lots.

Hen limit

1 per 3,000 sq ft of lot, up to 10 (lots of 5,000 sq ft or more)

Roosters

1 per 10,000 sq ft of lot under the 2026 zoning code

Permit

None stated (the coop counts as an accessory building)

Coop placement

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)

Partly reviewed The linked source is the general city code or a summary, not the exact section. Confirm the details with the city.

Read the official Gary rules ↗ Checked October 2026.

Will your coop fit in Gary?

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 Gary rules above. Free, no account.

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Backyard chicken questions in Gary

How many chickens can I have in Gary?

The hen limit in Gary: 1 per 3,000 sq ft of lot, up to 10 (lots of 5,000 sq ft or more).

Are roosters allowed in Gary?

The rooster rule in Gary: 1 per 10,000 sq ft of lot under the 2026 zoning code.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Gary?

The permit rule in Gary: none stated (the coop counts as an accessory building).

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

Where the coop can go in Gary: 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).