Can I keep chickens in Sparks, NV?
Yes, with conditions — Sparks allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 16 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 5 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Sparks Municipal Code 20.03.048 (Urban agriculture), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 16 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 5 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Covered enclosure (coop) required, at least 10 sq ft per hen, kept in rear yard, min 5 ft from any property line and 10 ft from main structure; chickens kept out of front yard. |
| Code section | Sparks Municipal Code 20.03.048 (Urban agriculture) |
Sparks allows hens as an accessory use in any SF, MF, MUD-MR or MUD-RN zoning district. The number permitted is tiered by parcel size: 2 hens (under 2,000 sq ft), 4 (2,001-6,000), 5 (6,001-10,000), then 2 hens per additional 2,000 sq ft up to a maximum of 16. Roosters and on-site slaughter are prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Sparks?
Yes, with conditions — Sparks allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Sparks Municipal Code 20.03.048 (Urban agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Sparks?
Up to 16 hens. Tiered by lot size: 2 up to 2,000 sq ft; 4 up to 6,000 sq ft; 5 up to 10,000 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Sparks?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Sparks.
Are roosters allowed in Sparks?
No — roosters are prohibited in Sparks.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Sparks?
5 feet minimum. Covered enclosure (coop) required, at least 10 sq ft per hen, kept in rear yard, min 5 ft from any property line and 10 ft from main structure; chickens kept out of front yard.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Sparks?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Sparks's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Sparks?
Sparks Municipal Code 20.03.048 (Urban agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Sparks Municipal Code 20.03.048 (Urban agriculture) — read the official code
“Chickens may be kept in any SF, MF, MUD-MR or MUD-RN zoning district as an accessory use if the following standards are complied with:” source
“The coop must be a minimum of five feet from any property line, remain within the rear yard and maintain a ten-foot setback from the main structure.” source
“(1) Parcel size between zero and 2,000 square feet may keep up to two hens. (2) ... 2,001 and 6,000 ... up to four hens (3) ... 6,001 and 10,000 ... up to five hens (4) ... greater than 10,000 ... two hens for every 2,000 square feet ... not to exceed 16 hens” source
“Roosters are prohibited.” 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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