Keeping backyard chickens has become a popular trend in many states in recent years, and Mississippi is no exception. However, not all cities in Mississippi allow residents to have chickens in their backyards. If you're interested in raising chickens for eggs or as pets, it's important to know which cities in Mississippi allow it. Raising backyard chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, not to mention a great way to save money on eggs.
In Mississippi, it's legal to keep chickens within city limits as long as you follow certain rules, such as keeping the coop clean and odor-free. In this article, we will explore some cities in Mississippi that permit the keeping of backyard chickens, as well as the rules and regulations that must be followed.
Jackson, MS
In Jackson, Mississippi, residents are allowed to keep up to six chickens, but roosters are not permitted. Chickens must at all times be kept within a coop or run, which is required to be located at least 20 feet from any residential building. Additionally, you must keep the coop or run clean and free of odors, and you are required to properly dispose of any manure.
The city of Jackson has a nuisance law that requires chicken owners to keep their birds in a manner that does not cause disturbance to the public. According to the law, any animal found repeatedly at large, damaging private or public property, or trespassing on school grounds, city parks, or zoological parks is considered a public nuisance. Therefore, Jackson chicken owners must take responsibility for their birds and ensure they do not become a nuisance to the community.
Gulfport, MS
Gulfport's animal ordinance, Sec. 7-78, limits residents to keeping only two chickens, ducks, geese, or turkeys unless they are enclosed and at least 300 feet away from neighboring property lines. A special permit is required from the chief of police and animal officer to keep more than two backyard chickens in the city of Gulfport. Additionally, owners must prevent their birds from creating a nuisance through noise or smell and from running at large. The premises where chickens are kept must be kept clean and sanitary to avoid offensive odors or sights.
Southaven, MS
Residents of Southaven, MS, are allowed to keep more than three chickens, but there are certain requirements that must be met. First, the chickens must be kept as pets and not for commercial or breeding purposes. Second, the birds must be kept in a secure fence or cage system that prevents them from leaving the owner's property. Lastly, the chicken enclosure must be located at least 250 feet away from any residence, as mandated by the local ordinance. These regulations aim to balance the benefits of keeping chickens with the need to maintain public health and safety.
Biloxi, MS
In Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi, households are limited to owning two chickens, ducks, turkeys, or geese. However, owning more than two backyard chickens is allowed if the chicken coop is at least 150 feet away from any property line or if a special permit is obtained from the city or designated agency. It is illegal for any chicken owner in Biloxi to let their chickens roam outside their property. Additionally, chicken owners must keep their birds in a way that does not create a public nuisance due to odor or unsanitary conditions for those living nearby, as required by ordinance.
Hattiesburg, MS
The city of Hattiesburg allows residents to keep chickens in their backyard for both eggs and meat purposes. While the City's animal ordinance limits each household to a maximum of six pets, it does not specify whether this number includes chickens. To find out, residents can contact Hattiesburg City Clerk or Animal Control Services.
Moreover, if the enclosure for the chickens is located more than 100 feet from neighboring properties, residents can own more than six domestic animals. However, the Hattiesburg animal ordinance requires that chickens and other animals kept as pets should be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, necessary shelter and protection from the elements.
Olive Branch, MS
Olive Branch, a city in DeSoto County, Mississippi, allows the keeping of chickens and other domesticated birds within the AR, Single-Family Residential District, as long as the property size requirement of one acre is met. According to the city's animal ordinance, a maximum of 10 chickens or other birds are allowed per one acre of land. This means that turkeys, ducks, geese, emus, ostriches, guinea fowl, and peafowl are also permitted, but the total number of backyard birds must not exceed 10 per acre of land.
Tupelo, MS
Raising backyard chickens in a residential area of the city of Tupelo comes with some regulations that owners must follow. One of the requirements is that the owner must have at least one acre of land to keep the chickens. Additionally, the chickens must be kept in a pen that is 250 feet away from nearby residences. The penned area must not exceed 200 square feet and must always comply with the city's health regulations.
To ensure that the chickens are kept in good health and hygiene, all enclosures must be kept clean and free from any offensive matter. Chicken owners are required to clean and disinfect the enclosures regularly. Lastly, it is illegal for any chicken owner within the city limits of Tupelo to allow their chickens to run or be at large at any time, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Other Mississippi Municipalities That Allow Backyard Chickens
- Meridian, MS - Chickens must be kept 105 feet from any building
- Madison, MS - More than 2 chickens per lot, if they are kept 50 feet from property lines
- Pearl, MS - A permit is required to keep more than 2 chickens
- Clinton, MS - Keeping more than 2 chickens requires a permit
- Horn Lake, MS - Chickens must not be kept within 250 feet of nearby residences
- Oxford, MS - Chickens must not be allowed to run at large
- Brandon, MS - Keeping more than 2 chickens requires a permit
- Ridgeland, MS - A permit is required to keep chickens
- Starkville, MS - Chickens are allowed. Running at large prohibited
- Columbus, MS - Chickens are allowed. Running at large not allowed
- Pascagoula, MS - Chickens must not be kept within 100 feet of nearby residences
- Gautier, MS - 10 chickens per premises of 20,000 square feet
- Ocean Springs, MS - Chickens must be kept 20 feet from neighboring dwellings
- Long Beach, MS - Chickens must not be kept within 300 feet of nearby residences
- Natchez, MS - Chickens are allowed. Running at large prohibited
- D'Iberville, MS - No more than 2 chickens without a permit
- Grenada, MS - Prohibit chickens from running at large
