Can I keep chickens in Greeley, CO?
Yes, with conditions — Greeley allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. (Greeley Municipal Code (Development Code) Sec. 24-402(c), Table 24-4-3 (Animal Unit Equivalency Chart), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 1 per 4,356 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Chicken-keeping is capped by a per-acre animal-unit formula, not a flat number: up to 10 chickens per acre in zones other than the H-A agricultural zone (5 turkeys/acre). On a typical small in-town residential lot this yields only 1-3 birds. The chart is not cumulative across species beyond the combined animal-unit total. |
| Code section | Greeley Municipal Code (Development Code) Sec. 24-402(c), Table 24-4-3 (Animal Unit Equivalency Chart) |
Greeley does not ban backyard chickens outright: the Development Code permits keeping chickens as an accessory use to any residential use, capped by a per-acre animal-unit ratio — up to 10 chickens per acre outside the H-A agricultural zone. On an average in-town lot that works out to only 1-3 birds, which is likely why this had been recorded as a flat ban.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Greeley?
Yes, with conditions — Greeley allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Greeley Municipal Code (Development Code) Sec. 24-402(c), Table 24-4-3 (Animal Unit Equivalency Chart)).
How many chickens can I keep in Greeley?
It depends on your lot. 1 hen per 4,356 sq ft of lot area. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
What law covers backyard chickens in Greeley?
Greeley Municipal Code (Development Code) Sec. 24-402(c), Table 24-4-3 (Animal Unit Equivalency Chart). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Greeley Municipal Code (Development Code) Sec. 24-402(c), Table 24-4-3 (Animal Unit Equivalency Chart) — read the official code
“This essentially prohibits backyard chickens for Greeley residential properties. We do have some community interest in keeping layer hens and have advanced backyard chicken proposals twice in the recent past. Neither initiative was successful.” source
“The limitations in table 24-4-3: Animal unit equivalency chart shall apply to the keeping of livestock as an accessory use to farming, residential uses, or any other use involving livestock.” source
“Chickens, broiler & layer; rabbits -- Max Animals Per Acre: H-A Zone 20, Other Zone 10; Animal Unit Equivalent 0.1” source
Last verified September 27, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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