Can I keep chickens in Little Rock, AR?
Yes — Little Rock allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Adequate housing required; 3 sq ft floor space per chicken over 4 months. Pen/yard at least 25 ft from nearest neighbor's house; chickens at least 5 ft from owner's own residence. |
| Code section | Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4 |
Little Rock allows chickens and similar fowl citywide subject to housing and setback rules; there is no numeric cap on hens and no permit is required. Pens must be at least 25 ft from neighbors and 5 ft from the owner's own residence, with 3 sq ft per bird. Slaughtering animals in residentially zoned areas is unlawful.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Little Rock?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Little Rock (Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4).
How many chickens can I keep in Little Rock?
Little Rock sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Little Rock?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Little Rock.
Are roosters allowed in Little Rock?
Yes, with conditions — see Little Rock's rules (Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Little Rock?
25 feet minimum. Adequate housing required; 3 sq ft floor space per chicken over 4 months. Pen/yard at least 25 ft from nearest neighbor's house; chickens at least 5 ft from owner's own residence.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Little Rock?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Little Rock's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Little Rock?
Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Little Rock Code of Ordinances ch. 6, secs. 6-44 and 6-4 — read the official code
“Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and fowl, such as chickens, guineas, turkeys and the like may be kept within the city limits, subject to the following provisions:” source
“chickens or similar fowls must be kept at least five (5) feet from owner's residence as well as twenty-five (25) feet from the house of the nearest neighbor.” source
“It shall be unlawful to slaughter a domesticated animal in a residentially zoned area of the city.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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