Can I keep chickens in Springfield, MO?
Yes — Springfield allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (City Code Sec. 18-24(b), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Henhouses, chicken tractors and pens at least 3 ft from the property line and at least 25 ft from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business; rear yard only. No more than 3 cubic feet of manure stored, covered. No commercial breeding or fertilizer production. |
| Code section | City Code Sec. 18-24(b) |
Springfield permits up to six hens (female chickens only, no roosters) per tract regardless of dwelling units, with no permit required. Henhouses must be at least 3 ft from the property line and 25 ft from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business, and located in the rear yard. Slaughter for personal use is allowed if sanitary and not visible from adjacent property, and stored manure is capped at 3 cubic feet.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Springfield?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Springfield (City Code Sec. 18-24(b)).
How many chickens can I keep in Springfield?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Springfield?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Springfield.
Are roosters allowed in Springfield?
No — roosters are prohibited in Springfield.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Springfield?
25 feet minimum. Henhouses, chicken tractors and pens at least 3 ft from the property line and at least 25 ft from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business; rear yard only. No more than 3 cubic feet of manure stored, covered. No commercial breeding or fertilizer production.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Springfield?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in City Code Sec. 18-24(b).
What law covers backyard chickens in Springfield?
City Code Sec. 18-24(b). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
City Code Sec. 18-24(b) — read the official code
“The maximum number of chickens allowed is six per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract.” source
“Only female chickens shall be allowed. There shall be no restriction on chicken breeds.” source
“Henhouses, chicken tractors, and chicken pens shall be located at least three feet from the property line and at least 25 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, or place of business.” source
“Slaughter may occur for personal use provided that it is conducted in a sanitary manner, does not generate noise that creates a nuisance, and is not visible from adjacent properties or any public area or right-of-way.” 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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