Can I keep chickens in Las Vegas, NM?
Yes, with conditions — Las Vegas allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of the City of Las Vegas Ch. 450 (Zoning) Art. X, Secs. 450-119 (RA) & 450-120 (RR); Ch. 118 (Animal Services) Art. IV, Sec. 118-20, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 21,780 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Designated enclosed area must be at least 50 ft from any residential structure or commercial business not owned/inhabited by the owner; must be fenced (e.g. chicken wire) and kept clean of animal waste. Density: one chicken per 200 sq ft of designated area. |
| Code section | Code of the City of Las Vegas Ch. 450 (Zoning) Art. X, Secs. 450-119 (RA) & 450-120 (RR); Ch. 118 (Animal Services) Art. IV, Sec. 118-20 |
Keeping fowl is zone-dependent. Non-commercial poultry is a permitted use only in the RA Residential Agricultural Zone (min 1 acre) and the RR Restricted Residential Zone (min 1/2 acre). The standard R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone permits only dwellings, home occupations and accessory uses - no fowl. Citywide, Sec. 118-20 sets a density of one chicken per 200 sq ft, and enclosures must be >=50 ft from a neighbor's dwelling/business. No numeric flock cap.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Las Vegas?
Yes, with conditions — Las Vegas allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of the City of Las Vegas Ch. 450 (Zoning) Art. X, Secs. 450-119 (RA) & 450-120 (RR); Ch. 118 (Animal Services) Art. IV, Sec. 118-20).
How many chickens can I keep in Las Vegas?
It depends on your lot. Non-commercial fowl permitted by-right only in RA (1-acre min) and RR (1/2-acre min) zones; not permitted in R-1 standard residential. Where allowed, density is 1 chicken per 200 sq ft of enclosure area (Sec. 118-20), no flock cap.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Las Vegas?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Las Vegas.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Las Vegas?
50 feet minimum. Designated enclosed area must be at least 50 ft from any residential structure or commercial business not owned/inhabited by the owner; must be fenced (e.g. chicken wire) and kept clean of animal waste. Density: one chicken per 200 sq ft of designated area.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Las Vegas?
Yes — 21,780 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Las Vegas?
Code of the City of Las Vegas Ch. 450 (Zoning) Art. X, Secs. 450-119 (RA) & 450-120 (RR); Ch. 118 (Animal Services) Art. IV, Sec. 118-20. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of the City of Las Vegas Ch. 450 (Zoning) Art. X, Secs. 450-119 (RA) & 450-120 (RR); Ch. 118 (Animal Services) Art. IV, Sec. 118-20 — read the official code
“RR Restricted Residential Zone ... (2) Agriculture, except the raising of animals or fowl for commercial purposes, or the sale of any products on the premises.” source
“R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone ... A building and premises on any lot in the R-1 Zone shall be used for the following purposes only:(1) Single-family dwelling.(2) Home occupation ... (3) Accessory uses customarily incidental to the uses listed above.” source
“Animals shall be allowed in designated areas in the following ratios. A. Maximum of: ... Chicken(s): one chicken per 200 square feet.” source
“The designated enclosed area must be at least 50 feet from a residential structure or commercial business not owned and inhabited by the owner of the animals.” 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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