Where in the state of Minnesota can you have backyard chickens and how many chickens can you own? Many Minnesota municipalities allow residents to keep chickens in their backyards for personal use. However, the number of backyard chickens you can keep depends on where you live, as well as the size of your property, as chicken ordinances vary greatly from one city to another. Nevertheless, the number of backyard chickens you can keep in most Minnesota Cities is capped at 6.
Minneapolis, MN
The City of Minneapolis requires that residents obtain a permit before keeping any chickens. Minneapolis residents can have from 6 to 30 backyard hens depending on the type of permit they obtain. However, a chicken coop must contain no more than six chickens and must be located at least 20 feet away from any habitable building on an adjacent property. The City of Minneapolis prohibits the slaughtering of chickens. Furthermore, a special permit is required to keep roosters in Minneapolis, according to the City Code.
St. Paul, MN
St. Paul City, the county seat of Ramsey, MN, allows residents to keep backyard chickens with a permit. The City offers two types of chicken-keeping permits: Tier One Permit for a fee of $26 and Tier Two Permit for a fee of $28. Residents can keep between 1-6 chickens with the Tier One Backyard Chicken Keeping permit and between 7-15 chickens with the Tier Two permit, which are inspected by Animal Control Officers each year.
However, before a permit is issued, a resident must notify all adjacent neighbors in writing that he or she is planning to keep a specific number of backyard chickens. Roosters are prohibited within the city limits of St. Paul.
Rochester, MN
The City of Rochester in Olmsted County permits residents to keep a maximum of three backyard hens for noncommercial purposes. However, a permit is required. Chickens must keep confined at all times in a coop, which must be situated at least 25 feet from any dwelling. The City Code requires that chickens be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
Bloomington, MN
In the City of Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota, residents are allowed to keep a maximum of 4 chickens in their backyards on any single-family or two-family residential property. However, Bloomington's Code of Ordinances does not allow the keeping of roosters and chickens on properties with three or more dwelling units. Chickens must be kept at all times in a coop or enclosure that must be located not less than 50 feet away from any dwelling on an abutting parcel.
Duluth, MN
The City of Duluth in St. Louis County, MN, allows the keeping of backyard chickens in areas zoned Rural Conservation (R-C) or Residential-Rural 1 (RR-1). Duluth residents must obtain an annual license from the city clerk before acquiring the chickens. No Duluth resident may keep more than five chickens (roosters are not allowed). Duluth City Code prohibits the keeping of chickens inside dwelling units. Furthermore, the slaughtering of chickens is prohibited within the city of Duluth.
Plymouth, MN
In Plymouth, a city in Hennepin County, MN, residents are allowed to keep a maximum of 6 backyard hens in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3 and SF-PUD zoning districts. However, prior to having chickens, Plymouth residents must obtain a permit for a one-time fee of $100. Plymouth's Code prohibits the keeping of roosters. Chicken coops must be located in the rear yard and not less than 20 feet away from the property line. Furthermore, the City requires that all chicken coops be thoroughly cleaned at least once every week.
Lakeville, MN
The City of Lakeville in Dakota County, MN, allows the keeping of three backyard hens in single-family dwellings within residential zoning districts. The chicken coop must be located in the rear yard and at least twenty feet away from any lot line. To prevent attracting predators and minimize nuisance noise, the city requires that owners keep their chickens confined inside a coop from sunset to sunrise each day.
Other Cities That Allow Backyard Chickens in Minnesota
- Coon Rapids, MN: Allows 4 backyard hens
- City of Red Wing, MN: Allows 4 backyard hens
- Belle Plain, MN: Allows up to six hens per parcel
- Blaine, MN: Allows no more than six hens
- Big Lake, MN: Allows up to 6 chickens per property
- City of Hopkins, MN: Allows chickens
- Inver Grove Heights, MN: Allows a maximum of 6 hens
- Golden Valley, MN: Residents may keep up to four hens
- City of Delano, MN: Allows no more than four backyard hens
- City of St. Francis, MN: Allows up to 10 chickens
- City of Dawson, MN: Allows a maximum of 6 hens
- City of Cottage Grove, MN: Allows chickens
- Saint Peter, MN: Allows a maximum of 6 hens
- Maplewood, MN: Allows up to 10 backyard chickens
- New Brighton, MN: Allows no more than 6 chickens per property
- City of Waconia, MN: Allows residents to keep up to 6 hens
- City of Jordan, MN: Allows up to 6 backyard chickens
- City of Eagan, MN: Allows no more than 5 chickens
- City of St. Charles, MN: Allows no more than 3 chickens
- North Branch, MN: Allows up to 50 chickens depending on lot size
- Edina, MN: Allows four hens per household
- East Bethel, MN: Allows no more than six chickens
- City of Mahtomedi, MN: Allows a maximum of 6 hens
- Northfield, MN: Allows up to 6 backyard chickens
- City of Spring Valley, MN: Allows no more than 5 hens
- Cannon Falls, MN: Allows backyard chickens
- Stillwater, MN: Allows no more than 5 chickens
