Keeping Chickens in Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada

We’ve compiled a list of major cities and their chicken keeping laws in Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, and Nevada. Laws are always subject to change, so be sure to visit your city’s website or zoning office to obtain the most up to date information. And, even if you don’t live within city limits, you may be subject to county laws. If you don’t see your city or county of residence listed, contact your appropriate office to verify if there are laws that apply to keeping chickens.

Missouri

Missouri allows chickens in most cities, but there are permit requirements for each of them. Additionally, Branson requires hens to have their flight wings clipped, and several cities cite that flocks must be in fully enclosed chicken runs.

• Branson - up to 8 hens; no roosters; flight wings must be clipped
• Columbia - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
• Independence - up to 6 hens for lots less than 1 acre, or up to 20 hens per acre for lots larger than 1 acre; no roosters; permit required
• Kansas City - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Lee’s Summit - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required
• O’Fallon - only in agricultural districts; no official limits on chickens; permit required
• Saint Charles - up to 8 hens depending on lot size; roosters allowed on lots 5 acres or larger; permit may be required
• Saint Joseph - limits depend on lot size; permit required
• Springfield - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required for larger numbers
• St. Louis - up to 8 hens; no roosters; permit required for lots less than 10,000sqft
• St. Peter’s - chickens only allowed within city limits in conjunction with a farming operation or riding stable; no official limit on hens for these individuals; no roosters

The Eglu Cube chicken coop with customizable run is perfect for any backyard.

Montana

The large state of Montana widely accepts chickens inside of city limits, with the exception of the city of Havre. Most cities allow generous amounts of hens, but most forbid keeping roosters.

• Anaconda - no official limit on hens; no roosters; permit may be required
• Belgrade - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Billings - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Bozeman - up to 15 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit required
• Butte - up to 25 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Great Falls - no official limits; likely no roosters due to strict noise restrictions; permit may be required
• Havre - no chickens allowed
• Helena - no official limits; noisy animals are prohibited, so roosters are likely not allowed
• Kalispell - up to 15 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit required
• Missoula - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit may be required

Nebraska

Nebraska is generally open to backyard flocks, but each city varies widely in how many chickens are allowed. Some cities have vague guidelines, so be sure to call your city’s office if anything is not clear.

• Bellevue - no official limit; noise ordinance may prohibit roosters; permit required
• Columbus - up to 15 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Grand Island - lots must be a minimum of 1 acre, with a limit of 4 hens per acre; no roosters; permit required
• Kearney - no chickens allowed within corporate limits of the city; residents outside of these can have 6 hens per acre up to 20 hens; permit required
• La Vista - no limit on hens; no roosters
• Lincoln - up to 20 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit required
• North Platte - no limit on hens; noise ordinance may forbid roosters
• Omaha - up to 6 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Papillion - some zones do not allow chickens — those that do don’t have an official limit on hens; no roosters; permit required

Omlet’s supersized Eglu Pro chicken coop is ideal for larger flocks!

Nevada

The chicken-keeping laws in some Nevada cities are vague, and some cities follow county-wide laws. Most flock number restrictions are based on the size of the lot, and most cities require a permit before obtaining chickens.

• Carson City - up to 4 hens for lots under 1 acre, more for properties larger than 1 acre; no roosters; permit required to obtain more than the allowed number of hens
• Henderson - no limit for chickens stated; permit required
• Las Vegas - up to 20 hens per lot; no roosters; permit required
• North Las Vegas - no limit on hens listed; no roosters
• Paradise - permits are required, and the type of permit will dictate how many hens you can keep; no roosters
• Reno - up to 12 hens; no roosters; permit required
• Sparks - up to 16 hens depending on lot size; no roosters; permit required
• Spring Valley - permits are required, and the type of permit will dictate how many hens you can keep; no roosters
• Sunrise Manor - permits are required, and the type of permit will dictate how many hens you can keep; no roosters
• Whitney - permits are required, and the type of permit will dictate how many hens you can keep; no roosters

Omlet and your flock

With sanitary chicken coops in alignment with state recommendations, we’ve got the setups you need to have a thriving backyard flock in compliance with your city. Our mobile chicken coops and walk in chicken runs make it easy to create your hen’s home within the parameters set forth in your area.