Can I keep chickens in Columbia Falls, MT?
Yes, with conditions — Columbia Falls allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 5 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited. (Columbia Falls Municipal Code 18.433.010 (Zoning), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Fowl must be kept in a fenced yard or enclosure; pens allowed only in rear and side yards. On lots <1 acre: max 5 fowl, no roosters/male fowl. |
| Code section | Columbia Falls Municipal Code 18.433.010 (Zoning) |
Columbia Falls allows fowl in single-family residential areas for non-commercial use, with rules that depend on lot size. On CR-zoned lots under one acre, no more than five fowl may be kept, no roosters are allowed, and birds must be in a fenced yard or enclosure. Lots of at least one acre are governed instead by an animal-unit cap that effectively permits far more birds.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Columbia Falls?
Yes, with conditions — Columbia Falls allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Columbia Falls Municipal Code 18.433.010 (Zoning)).
How many chickens can I keep in Columbia Falls?
Up to 5 hens. Lot-size dependent: CR-zoned lots under 1 acre allow max 5 fowl and no roosters; lots >=1 acre limited to 100 animal units/acre with chickens = 4 A.U. each. max_hens=5 reflects the typical small residential lot.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Columbia Falls?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Columbia Falls.
Are roosters allowed in Columbia Falls?
No — roosters are prohibited in Columbia Falls.
What law covers backyard chickens in Columbia Falls?
Columbia Falls Municipal Code 18.433.010 (Zoning). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Columbia Falls Municipal Code 18.433.010 (Zoning) — read the official code
“Livestock and fowl in residential (CR) zones are allowed only for domestic use or consumption and shall not be raised for commercial purposes.” source
“fowl which may be kept in CR zoned lots/tract of less than one acre provided: a. No more than five fowl may be kept on lots less than one acre in size;” source
“b. No roosters or male fowl may be kept on lots less than one acre;” 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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