Can I keep chickens in Longmont, CO?
Yes — Longmont allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 6 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Longmont Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.130 (Prohibited keeping of animals — Backyard chicken hens), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($30) |
| Coop setback | 6 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Backyard chicken hens restricted to the rear/backyard, may not free-range (confined to coop and run unless waived), no slaughtering allowed, feed must be stored in a re-sealable rat-proof container. Other poultry/fowl (ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, quail) prohibited outside agricultural zones. Coops in place before Feb 1, 2009 are exempt from the setback if the owner has neighbor agreement. |
| Code section | Longmont Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.130 (Prohibited keeping of animals — Backyard chicken hens) |
Longmont allows up to four backyard chicken hens per parcel with a $30 city permit. Roosters and other poultry (ducks, geese, turkeys) are banned outside agricultural zones. Coops must sit at least 6 feet from structures and property lines, hens must stay in the coop/run, and slaughtering isn't allowed.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Longmont?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Longmont (Longmont Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.130 (Prohibited keeping of animals — Backyard chicken hens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Longmont?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Longmont?
Yes — Longmont requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $30).
Are roosters allowed in Longmont?
No — roosters are prohibited in Longmont.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Longmont?
6 feet minimum. Backyard chicken hens restricted to the rear/backyard, may not free-range (confined to coop and run unless waived), no slaughtering allowed, feed must be stored in a re-sealable rat-proof container. Other poultry/fowl (ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, quail) prohibited outside agricultural zones. Coops in place before Feb 1, 2009 are exempt from the setback if the owner has neighbor agreement.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Longmont?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Longmont's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Longmont?
Longmont Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.130 (Prohibited keeping of animals — Backyard chicken hens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Longmont Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.130 (Prohibited keeping of animals — Backyard chicken hens) — read the official code
“No more than four chicken hens are permitted per parcel.” source
“No more than four (4) chicken hens are permitted per parcel. Roosters are prohibited ... No slaughtering allowed ... $30.00 permit fee ... Coops shall be at least six (6) feet from any other structure and at least six (6) feet from any side or rear property line” source
“A city permit is required for all chicken hen coops, and no more than one permit per household shall be issued. The fee for a backyard chicken permit is $30.00.” source
“Roosters prohibited. Except as provided in section 15.04.040, no person may own or keep a rooster in any district not zoned agricultural.” 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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