Can I keep chickens in Tempe, AZ?
Yes — Tempe allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (Tempe Zoning and Development Code Sec. 3-404(I) Small Animals, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Up to 6 domestic chickens per lot. No roosters or peafowl except in AG. Enclosure no taller than the fence/wall line on lots under 1 acre. Keeping animals in a manner that constitutes a nuisance is unlawful. Additional chickens only by use permit. |
| Code section | Tempe Zoning and Development Code Sec. 3-404(I) Small Animals |
Tempe allows up to 6 domestic chickens on any residential lot with a single-family dwelling (ZDC Sec. 3-404(I)); chickens do not count against the 5-small-animal limit. Roosters and peafowl are prohibited outside the AG district. On lots under one acre the chicken enclosure may be no taller than the property's fence or wall line. More than 6 requires a use permit under Sec. 6-308. No permit is otherwise required.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Tempe?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Tempe (Tempe Zoning and Development Code Sec. 3-404(I) Small Animals).
How many chickens can I keep in Tempe?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Tempe?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Tempe.
Are roosters allowed in Tempe?
No — roosters are prohibited in Tempe.
What law covers backyard chickens in Tempe?
Tempe Zoning and Development Code Sec. 3-404(I) Small Animals. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Tempe Zoning and Development Code Sec. 3-404(I) Small Animals — read the official code
“No more than six (6) domestic chickens are allowed on an individual lot. The keeping of roosters or peafowl is prohibited. Chicken enclosures shall be no taller than the height of the fence/wall line located on the property. Slaughtering of chickens is not allowed within the city limits of Tempe.” source
“8. Lots less than one (1) acre, chicken enclosures shall be no taller than the height of the fence/wall line located on the property. (Ord. No. O2024.60, 12-19-2024; Ord. No. O2025.23, 7-1-2025)” source
“I. Small Animals. Small animals, as defined herein, and pot-bellied pigs are permitted in all residential districts which have a single-family dwelling, subject to the following: ... 3. No more than six (6) domestic chickens are allowed on an individual lot. Domestic chickens do not count in the total allotment for small animals. 4. The keeping of roosters or peafowl is prohibited, except in the AG district” 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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