Can I keep chickens in Surprise, AZ?
Yes, with conditions — Surprise allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 25 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Surprise Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-114 (Fowl and rodents), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 25 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | 6 fowl on lots of a half-acre or less; 25 fowl on lots over a half-acre. No male fowl. Enclosure in the rear or side yard at least 20 feet from a neighboring property, max 200 sq ft, max 8 ft. |
| Code section | Surprise Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-114 (Fowl and rodents) |
Surprise allows a single-family detached residence to keep up to 6 fowl on a lot of a half-acre or less, and up to 25 fowl on a lot larger than a half-acre (Sec. 10-114). Roosters and other male fowl are prohibited. Fowl must be enclosed in the rear or side yard at least 20 feet from a neighboring property, max 200 sq ft and 8 feet tall. No permit is required.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Surprise?
Yes, with conditions — Surprise allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Surprise Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-114 (Fowl and rodents)).
How many chickens can I keep in Surprise?
Up to 25 hens. Tiered by lot size: 6 up to 21,780 sq ft. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Surprise?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Surprise.
Are roosters allowed in Surprise?
No — roosters are prohibited in Surprise.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Surprise?
20 feet minimum. 6 fowl on lots of a half-acre or less; 25 fowl on lots over a half-acre. No male fowl. Enclosure in the rear or side yard at least 20 feet from a neighboring property, max 200 sq ft, max 8 ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Surprise?
Surprise Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-114 (Fowl and rodents). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Surprise Municipal Code Ch. 10, Art. III, Sec. 10-114 (Fowl and rodents) — read the official code
“Up to 6 hens allowed per HB2325” source
“Sec. 10-114. (b) Residents of a single-family detached residence on a lot more than one-half acre of lot area may keep 25 fowl... (c) Residents of any single-family detached residence may not keep male fowl, including roosters. (d) Residents of a single-family detached residence on a lot that is one-half acre or less in size may keep up to six fowl in the backyard of the property, provided... (1) All fowl... shall be kept in an enclosure located in the rear or side yard of the property at least twenty (20) feet from a neighboring property. The size of the enclosure shall be a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet with a maximum height of eight feet” source
Last verified September 6, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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