Can I keep chickens in Bountiful, UT?
Yes — Bountiful allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Bountiful City Code Title 14, Chapter 22 (Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones); Ord. 2012-05, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($5) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Coop or enclosed area required; covered, ventilated, rodent- and predator-resistant; exterior painted or treated. Located in rear yard, at least 20 ft from any primary residential dwelling on an adjoining property and at least 5 ft from any property line; 10 ft from any dwelling if a heating device is used. |
| Code section | Bountiful City Code Title 14, Chapter 22 (Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones); Ord. 2012-05 |
Bountiful allows up to 8 hens (no roosters or crowing hens) on lots with a single-family detached dwelling. A one-time $5 city license is required. Chickens must be kept in a coop in the rear yard, at least 20 ft from a neighbor's dwelling and 5 ft from property lines, strictly for familial egg production.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bountiful?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bountiful (Bountiful City Code Title 14, Chapter 22 (Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones); Ord. 2012-05).
How many chickens can I keep in Bountiful?
Up to 8 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bountiful?
Yes — Bountiful requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $5).
Are roosters allowed in Bountiful?
No — roosters are prohibited in Bountiful.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bountiful?
20 feet minimum. Coop or enclosed area required; covered, ventilated, rodent- and predator-resistant; exterior painted or treated. Located in rear yard, at least 20 ft from any primary residential dwelling on an adjoining property and at least 5 ft from any property line; 10 ft from any dwelling if a heating device is used.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bountiful?
Bountiful City Code Title 14, Chapter 22 (Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones); Ord. 2012-05. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Bountiful City Code Title 14, Chapter 22 (Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones); Ord. 2012-05 — read the official code
“Up to eight (8) hens may be kept on a residential lot in accordance with the following: A chicken shall only be kept on a property containing a single-family detached dwelling unit.” source
“A City license is required for the keeping of chickens allowed by this Title. ... There shall be a one-time license fee of five dollars ($5.00).” source
“It is unlawful to keep a rooster or crowing hen.” source
“Any coop or enclosure shall be located at least twenty (20) feet from any primary residential dwelling on an adjoining property, and at least five (5) feet from any property line.” 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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