Can I keep chickens in Fort Collins, CO?
Yes — Fort Collins allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Fort Collins Municipal Code § 4-117(b), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($30) |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Permit from the Humane Society (NoCo Humane) with a site inspection before issuance. Covered, predator-resistant poultry house with at least 4 sq ft per bird; daytime access to a fenced outdoor enclosure; birds closed in the house from dusk to dawn. Neither the house nor the enclosure may be within 15 ft of an abutting property line without the neighbors' written consent. Birds must be kept from contact with wild ducks and geese, and may not be killed by the keeper. |
| Code section | Fort Collins Municipal Code § 4-117(b) |
Fort Collins allows up to 8 hens and/or female ducks on lots under one-half acre, up to 12 on lots of one-half to one acre, and 6 more for each additional half acre above one acre (written notice to abutting owners is required above 12). A Humane Society permit and coop inspection are required, roosters and drakes are prohibited, and the coop and run must be 15 ft from abutting property lines unless neighbors consent in writing.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fort Collins?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Fort Collins (Fort Collins Municipal Code § 4-117(b)).
How many chickens can I keep in Fort Collins?
Up to 8 hens. Tiered by lot size: 8 up to 21,779 sq ft; 12 up to 43,560 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Fort Collins?
Yes — Fort Collins requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $30).
Are roosters allowed in Fort Collins?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fort Collins.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Fort Collins?
15 feet minimum. Permit from the Humane Society (NoCo Humane) with a site inspection before issuance. Covered, predator-resistant poultry house with at least 4 sq ft per bird; daytime access to a fenced outdoor enclosure; birds closed in the house from dusk to dawn. Neither the house nor the enclosure may be within 15 ft of an abutting property line without the neighbors' written consent. Birds must be kept from contact with wild ducks and geese, and may not be killed by the keeper.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Fort Collins?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Fort Collins's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins Municipal Code § 4-117(b). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Fort Collins Municipal Code § 4-117(b) — read the official code
“A one-time fee of $30 provides the required license for chicken and duck coops; Neither the poultry house nor the outdoor enclosure may be located less than fifteen (15) feet from any abutting property line” source
“(3) Poultry may be kept in the following numbers: a. On lots less than one-half (1/2) acre in size, up to eight (8) chickens and/or ducks may be kept; b. On lots one-half (1/2) acre to one (1) acre in size, up to a total of twelve (12) chickens and/or ducks may be kept; and c. On lots more than one (1) acre in size, up to six (6) additional chickens and/or ducks may be kept for every additional one-half (1/2) acre” source
“(5) Any person keeping poultry pursuant to this provision must first have been issued a permit by the Humane Society and have received such information or training pertaining to the keeping of poultry as said agency deems appropriate. Prior to the issuance of said permit, a site inspection shall be conducted by the Humane Society” source
“(2) The keeping of roosters or drakes (male ducks) is prohibited; only chicken or duck hens shall be permitted” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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