Can I keep chickens in Gautier, MS?
Yes — Gautier allows backyard chickens, up to 10 hens with a required permit/registration. Coops must be at least 35 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Art. III (Livestock and Fowl), Div. 2, §4-36, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Permit required | Yes ($0) |
| Coop setback | 35 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Up to 10 fowl on a minimum 20,000 sq ft lot; structures set back 35 ft from a neighbor's dwelling openings; a free permit is required outside AG districts. Fowl must be kept in a predator-proof coop/run. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Art. III (Livestock and Fowl), Div. 2, §4-36 |
Gautier's official Animal Control Ordinance allows fowl for personal use and requires a free permit outside AG districts. No fowl may be kept on a lot under 20,000 sq ft; up to ten fowl are allowed on a 20,000 sq ft lot, kept in a predator-proof coop/run at least 35 feet from a neighbor's dwelling openings. Municode confirms these rules are codified as Gautier's own Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl), Article III, Division 2, Sec. 4-36 - i.e., genuinely adopted by the city, not a stray Ocean Springs template (which was only the source the city copied).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Gautier?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Gautier (Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Art. III (Livestock and Fowl), Div. 2, §4-36).
How many chickens can I keep in Gautier?
Up to 10 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Gautier?
Yes — Gautier requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $0).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Gautier?
35 feet minimum. Up to 10 fowl on a minimum 20,000 sq ft lot; structures set back 35 ft from a neighbor's dwelling openings; a free permit is required outside AG districts. Fowl must be kept in a predator-proof coop/run.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Gautier?
Yes — 20,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Gautier?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Art. III (Livestock and Fowl), Div. 2, §4-36. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Art. III (Livestock and Fowl), Div. 2, §4-36 — read the official code
“Chapter 4 - ANIMALS AND FOWL > Article III - LIVESTOCK AND FOWL > Division 2 - Conditions Under Which Livestock and Fowl May Be Kept > Sec. 4-36 (confirms Gautier-specific codification).” source
“Required area. No fowl shall be allowed on any premises of less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, and ten (10) fowl shall be allowed to be kept on premises of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet.” source
“All individuals residing in districts (except in AG Districts) desiring to keep livestock or fowl in the city shall first apply to the Department of Economic Development and Planning to obtain the required free permit.” source
“Proximity to opening of dwelling. No fowl shall be kept in such a manner so as to allow their being closer than thirty-five (35) feet from the nearest door, window, or other opening of a neighbor's dwelling.” 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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