Can I keep chickens in Riverton, WY?
Yes, with conditions — Riverton allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 6 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Chapter 6.04, Animals Generally (City of Riverton, WY), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Each hen must have 9 sq ft with 2 ft ceiling height; coop kept clean and in good repair; 25 ft from neighboring house |
| Code section | Chapter 6.04, Animals Generally (City of Riverton, WY) |
Riverton uses a sliding scale adopted in 2023: lots under 5,000 sq ft cannot keep chickens; lots 5,000-7,999 sq ft may keep up to 4 hens; lots 8,000 sq ft or larger may keep up to 6 hens. Roosters and drakes are prohibited. Each hen must have at least 9 sq ft of living space with a 2-foot ceiling height.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Riverton?
Yes, with conditions — Riverton allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Chapter 6.04, Animals Generally (City of Riverton, WY)).
How many chickens can I keep in Riverton?
Up to 6 hens. Tiered by lot size: 0 up to 4,999 sq ft; 4 up to 7,999 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Are roosters allowed in Riverton?
No — roosters are prohibited in Riverton.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Riverton?
25 feet minimum. Each hen must have 9 sq ft with 2 ft ceiling height; coop kept clean and in good repair; 25 ft from neighboring house
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Riverton?
Yes — 5,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Riverton?
Chapter 6.04, Animals Generally (City of Riverton, WY). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Chapter 6.04, Animals Generally (City of Riverton, WY) — read the official code
“The city ordinance now operates on a sliding scale by allowing four chickens on lots from 5,000 to 8,000 square feet and six on lots larger than 8,000 square feet. Lots under 5,000 square feet are not allowed chickens.” source
“Roosters and drakes are not allowed within the city limits. Each individual chicken shall have available to it a living space not less than nine square feet in area with a ceiling height of not less than two feet. The distance of any structure keeping residential chickens cannot be within 25 feet of a neighbor's house.” 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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