Can I keep chickens in Tucson, AZ?
Yes — Tucson allows backyard chickens, up to 24 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Chapter 4, Article IV, §§ 4-55 through 4-61, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 24 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Maximum 24 fowl citywide. Fowl must be confined and not running at large. Coop/enclosure must be 50 feet minimum from any other dwelling. Male fowl (roosters) and guinea fowl prohibited. No slaughter. |
| Code section | Chapter 4, Article IV, §§ 4-55 through 4-61 |
Tucson allows up to 24 fowl per property with no gender-specific roosters permitted. Coops must be 50 feet from neighboring dwellings. Fowl must not run at large. Unified Development Code may allow additional flexibility.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Tucson?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Tucson (Chapter 4, Article IV, §§ 4-55 through 4-61).
How many chickens can I keep in Tucson?
Up to 24 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Tucson?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Tucson.
Are roosters allowed in Tucson?
No — roosters are prohibited in Tucson.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Tucson?
50 feet minimum. Maximum 24 fowl citywide. Fowl must be confined and not running at large. Coop/enclosure must be 50 feet minimum from any other dwelling. Male fowl (roosters) and guinea fowl prohibited. No slaughter.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Tucson?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Tucson's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Tucson?
Chapter 4, Article IV, §§ 4-55 through 4-61. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Chapter 4, Article IV, §§ 4-55 through 4-61 — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the city more than twenty-four (24) fowl.” source
“It shall be unlawful to keep or permit to be kept within the city any male fowl or guinea fowl.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain, within fifty (50) feet of the dwelling house of any other person within the city, any coop, house, shed or other structure, or yard, corral or enclosure for housing, keeping or caring for any pigeons or fowl of any kind.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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