Can I keep chickens in Lakewood, CO?
Yes, with conditions — Lakewood allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.4.3.1.D (Animals, Small) and Table 17.4.1, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Coop rules | Zone-dependent. R-1-43, R-1-18, R-1-12 and R-1-9 (accessory use, no permit): coops hold no more than one bird per 4 sq ft of gross floor area, set back 15 ft from side and rear lines and behind the front edge of the house. R-1-6, R-2, R-3, R-MF and mixed-use (limited use, city permit required): maximum 6 hens (or 6 ducks, or 5 ducks and 1 drake), 6 sq ft of living space per bird, enclosure no larger than 32 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not in the front yard and no closer to property lines than the zone's accessory-structure setbacks. Roosters prohibited in all zones. |
| Code section | Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.4.3.1.D (Animals, Small) and Table 17.4.1 |
Lakewood permits backyard hens in several residential zones with different rules per zone. In R-1-43 through R-1-9, the limit is 1 hen per 4 sq ft of coop area with no permit; in R-1-6 and R-2, a permit is required with a maximum of 6 hens. No roosters in any zone.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lakewood?
Yes, with conditions — Lakewood allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.4.3.1.D (Animals, Small) and Table 17.4.1).
How many chickens can I keep in Lakewood?
It depends on your lot. R-1-43/R-1-18/R-1-12/R-1-9: 1 hen per 4 sq ft of coop area; R-1-6/R-2: max 6 hens with permit required. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Are roosters allowed in Lakewood?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lakewood.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lakewood?
15 feet minimum. Zone-dependent. R-1-43, R-1-18, R-1-12 and R-1-9 (accessory use, no permit): coops hold no more than one bird per 4 sq ft of gross floor area, set back 15 ft from side and rear lines and behind the front edge of the house. R-1-6, R-2, R-3, R-MF and mixed-use (limited use, city permit required): maximum 6 hens (or 6 ducks, or 5 ducks and 1 drake), 6 sq ft of living space per bird, enclosure no larger than 32 sq ft and no taller than 10 ft, not in the front yard and no closer to property lines than the zone's accessory-structure setbacks. Roosters prohibited in all zones.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lakewood?
Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.4.3.1.D (Animals, Small) and Table 17.4.1. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Lakewood Zoning Ordinance § 17.4.3.1.D (Animals, Small) and Table 17.4.1 — read the official code
“R-1-43/R-1-18/R-1-12/R-1-9: No permit required; Coop must be 15 feet from all property lines; Maximum of 1 bird per 4 square feet in coop area. R-1-6/R-2: Permit required; Maximum 6 hens per property; Minimum of 6 square feet living space per bird; Maximum 40 square feet and 10 feet in height” source
“minimum of 6 square feet of living space for each animal ... total size of an enclosure shall not exceed 32 square feet and shall not exceed 10 feet in height. ... Coops shall contain no more than one bird for every 4 square feet of gross floor area. All coops must be set back 15 feet from the side and rear property lines and behind the front edge of the primary structure.” source
“A permit for the keeping of hens, ducks, and drakes must be obtained from the City. ... A maximum of six hens or six ducks or 5 ducks and one drake shall be allowed on a single property. Roosters shall be prohibited.” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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