Can I keep chickens in Ruston, LA?
Yes, with conditions — Ruston allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 12 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 5 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Ruston Zoning Ordinance (ClearZoning) Sec. 4.10 (Keeping of Animals), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 5 ft |
| Coop rules | Permitted only in Agriculture and Residential Estates (RE) districts. RE: 1 small animal per 800 sq ft of lot area, max 12 per acre (no limit in Agriculture district). No roosters, geese or turkeys in any residential district. Coop covered, predator-proof, max 10 ft tall, >=5 ft from property lines, not in any front yard; >=10 sq ft outdoor enclosure per bird. |
| Code section | Ruston Zoning Ordinance (ClearZoning) Sec. 4.10 (Keeping of Animals) |
Ruston permits keeping fowl only in the Agriculture and Residential Estates (RE) districts under ClearZoning Sec. 4.10. In the RE district the limit is one small animal per 800 sq ft of lot area, up to 12 per acre (no limit in the Agriculture District). No roosters, geese or turkeys may be kept in any residential district. Standard single-family districts (R-1, etc.) are not covered, where poultry is allowed only as part of a Community Garden use.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Ruston?
Yes, with conditions — Ruston allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Ruston Zoning Ordinance (ClearZoning) Sec. 4.10 (Keeping of Animals)).
How many chickens can I keep in Ruston?
Up to 12 hens. Zone-dependent: fowl allowed only in Agriculture and Residential Estates (RE) districts (not standard R-1). RE max 1 small animal per 800 sqft, cap 12 per acre; uncapped in Agriculture district. No roosters/geese/turkeys in any residential district.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Are roosters allowed in Ruston?
No — roosters are prohibited in Ruston.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Ruston?
5 feet minimum. Permitted only in Agriculture and Residential Estates (RE) districts. RE: 1 small animal per 800 sq ft of lot area, max 12 per acre (no limit in Agriculture district). No roosters, geese or turkeys in any residential district. Coop covered, predator-proof, max 10 ft tall, >=5 ft from property lines, not in any front yard; >=10 sq ft outdoor enclosure per bird.
What law covers backyard chickens in Ruston?
Ruston Zoning Ordinance (ClearZoning) Sec. 4.10 (Keeping of Animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ruston Zoning Ordinance (ClearZoning) Sec. 4.10 (Keeping of Animals) — read the official code
“No more than one small animal per 800 sq feet of lot area shall be permitted, up to a maximum of twelve (12) such animals permitted per acre in the RE district. There is no limit on the number of animals in the Agriculture District.” source
“No roosters, geese, or turkeys may be kept in any residential district.” source
“The height of such structures shall not exceed ten (10) feet and shall be setback at least five (5) feet from any property line. Such structures are not permitted in any front yard.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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