Can I keep chickens in Sturgis, SD?
Yes — Sturgis allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 40 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Title 32 Animals, Chapter 32.06 Urban Chickens, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($75) |
| Coop setback | 40 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Single-family R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4 zones only; rear yard only; coop max 60 sq ft and 8 ft tall; run min 8 sq ft per bird, max 300 sq ft; 40 ft from nearest residence on abutting lot; 10 ft from property line; 10 ft from principal structure; city-issued leg band required per bird; no roosters, crowing hens, or guinea chickens; no public slaughter; initial permit $75, renewal free; permit not transferable. |
| Code section | Title 32 Animals, Chapter 32.06 Urban Chickens |
Sturgis allows up to 6 hens on single-family lots in residential zones with an urban chicken permit ($75 initial, free renewal). No roosters, crowing hens, or guinea chickens are permitted. The coop must be in the rear yard, at least 40 ft from any neighboring residence and 10 ft from the property line.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Sturgis?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Sturgis (Title 32 Animals, Chapter 32.06 Urban Chickens).
How many chickens can I keep in Sturgis?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Sturgis?
Yes — Sturgis requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $75).
Are roosters allowed in Sturgis?
No — roosters are prohibited in Sturgis.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Sturgis?
40 feet minimum. Single-family R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4 zones only; rear yard only; coop max 60 sq ft and 8 ft tall; run min 8 sq ft per bird, max 300 sq ft; 40 ft from nearest residence on abutting lot; 10 ft from property line; 10 ft from principal structure; city-issued leg band required per bird; no roosters, crowing hens, or guinea chickens; no public slaughter; initial permit $75, renewal free; permit not transferable.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Sturgis?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Sturgis's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Sturgis?
Title 32 Animals, Chapter 32.06 Urban Chickens. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Title 32 Animals, Chapter 32.06 Urban Chickens — read the official code
“Keep no more than six (6) female chickens per property. No person shall keep any rooster, crowing hens, or guinea chickens. No person shall slaughter any chickens in public view. The coop shall be a single structure not to exceed sixty (60) square feet in area and eight (8) feet in height. The coop or enclosure shall not be located closer than forty (40) feet to the nearest residence on an abutting lot. Initial Permit Application Fee $75.00. Renewal Permit Application Fee $00.00/NO FEE.” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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