Can I keep chickens in Saint Cloud, MN?
Yes, with conditions — Saint Cloud allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (St. Cloud Land Development Code Art. 8, Table 8-2 (Residential Districts); Animal Control Sec. 1040, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 435,600 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Per the Land Development Code Table 8-2, only the RR (Rural Residential) district - 10-acre minimum lot - carries a 'Maximum Animal Density' allowance, which permits 25 small poultry and animals per acre (e.g., chickens, rabbits) and 12.5 large poultry per acre. The standard urban residential districts (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4) have NO animal-density allowance, so chickens are not permitted on ordinary city lots. RR setbacks: 10 ft interior side (residential), 30 ft front/rear/street side. |
| Code section | St. Cloud Land Development Code Art. 8, Table 8-2 (Residential Districts); Animal Control Sec. 1040 |
St. Cloud permits chickens only in the RR (Rural Residential) zoning district, which has a 10-acre minimum lot and a maximum animal density of 25 small poultry per acre. Table 8-2 of the Land Development Code assigns an animal-density allowance to no other residential district (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4), so keeping chickens on a standard urban residential lot is not permitted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Saint Cloud?
Yes, with conditions — Saint Cloud allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (St. Cloud Land Development Code Art. 8, Table 8-2 (Residential Districts); Animal Control Sec. 1040).
How many chickens can I keep in Saint Cloud?
It depends on your lot. Permitted only in the RR district (10-acre min = 435,600 sq ft) at 25 small poultry/acre; no other residential district (R-1/R-1A/R-2/R-3/R-4) has an animal-density allowance, so not allowed on standard urban lots.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Saint Cloud?
10 feet minimum. Per the Land Development Code Table 8-2, only the RR (Rural Residential) district - 10-acre minimum lot - carries a 'Maximum Animal Density' allowance, which permits 25 small poultry and animals per acre (e.g., chickens, rabbits) and 12.5 large poultry per acre. The standard urban residential districts (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4) have NO animal-density allowance, so chickens are not permitted on ordinary city lots. RR setbacks: 10 ft interior side (residential), 30 ft front/rear/street side.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Saint Cloud?
Yes — 435,600 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Saint Cloud?
St. Cloud Land Development Code Art. 8, Table 8-2 (Residential Districts); Animal Control Sec. 1040. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
St. Cloud Land Development Code Art. 8, Table 8-2 (Residential Districts); Animal Control Sec. 1040 — read the official code
“TABLE 8-2: RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS BULK AND SETBACK REGULATIONS ... DISTRICT RR ... Minimum Lot Area 10 acres ... Maximum Animal Density: ... 12.5 large poultry per acre (e.g., turkeys, ducks, etc.); 25 small poultry and animals per acre (e.g., chickens, rabbits, etc.) ... Interior Side Setback Residential use: 10 ft.” source
“Only one 'Maximum Animal Density' row appears in Table 8-2 (the RR district); districts R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, and R-4 carry no animal-density allowance.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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