Can I keep chickens in Scottsdale, AZ?
Yes, with conditions — Scottsdale allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (App. B) Sec. 7.200(3) Backyard fowl; Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Single-family residential lots only. Fowl kept in an enclosure in the rear yard, never in a required front or side yard. Enclosure at least 20 feet from a property line, max 200 sq ft, max 8 feet or the district fence height, whichever is less (enclosures built before Dec. 31, 2024 are exempt). No rooster ban in the code; any animal whose crowing or other noise habitually disturbs the neighborhood or two or more people is a nuisance under Sec. 4-17(c). Manure removed at least twice weekly (Sec. 4-18). |
| Code section | Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (App. B) Sec. 7.200(3) Backyard fowl; Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18 |
Scottsdale allows backyard fowl as a permitted accessory use on single-family residential lots (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7.200(3)). The enclosure must sit in the rear yard at least 20 feet from a property line and be no larger than 200 sq ft or taller than 8 feet. The code sets no numeric hen limit and no rooster ban; noise and sanitation are policed as nuisances under Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18. No permit is required.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Scottsdale?
Yes, with conditions — Scottsdale allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (App. B) Sec. 7.200(3) Backyard fowl; Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18).
How many chickens can I keep in Scottsdale?
It depends on your lot. Scottsdale sets no numeric cap. Keeping is limited by the 200 sq ft enclosure limit, the rear-yard and 20 ft property-line setback, and the nuisance and sanitation rules in Revised Code Ch. 4, Art. II. State law guarantees at least 6 fowl on a single-family lot of a half acre or less.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Scottsdale?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Scottsdale.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Scottsdale?
20 feet minimum. Single-family residential lots only. Fowl kept in an enclosure in the rear yard, never in a required front or side yard. Enclosure at least 20 feet from a property line, max 200 sq ft, max 8 feet or the district fence height, whichever is less (enclosures built before Dec. 31, 2024 are exempt). No rooster ban in the code; any animal whose crowing or other noise habitually disturbs the neighborhood or two or more people is a nuisance under Sec. 4-17(c). Manure removed at least twice weekly (Sec. 4-18).
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Scottsdale?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Scottsdale's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (App. B) Sec. 7.200(3) Backyard fowl; Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance (App. B) Sec. 7.200(3) Backyard fowl; Revised Code Sec. 4-17 and 4-18 — read the official code
“3. Backyard fowl. This section applies only to single-family residential lots. a. The keeping of fowl in the rear yard is a permitted accessory use to a main single-family dwelling. The keeping of backyard fowl is subject to the requirements of SRC Chapter 4, Article II., and the following requirements: i. The keeping of fowl shall not be permitted in a required front or side yard. ii. Fowl shall be kept in an enclosure located in the rear yard of the property. The enclosure shall be set back at least twenty (20) feet from a property line. The enclosure shall be limited to a maximum size of two hundred (200) square feet. The enclosure shall be limited to a maximum height of eight (8) feet, or the maximum wall or fence height allowed in the zoning district where the property is located, whichever is less. These enclosure requirements shall not apply to an enclosure constructed prior to December 31, 2024.” source
“Scottsdale City Code § 4-17: Backyard fowl are permitted unless they create a habitual nuisance. Fowl is allowed unless it is a frequent or habitual nuisance that disturbs a neighborhood.” source
“Sec. 4-17(c) No person shall knowingly keep or harbor any animal or fowl which by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, crowing or the making of other noises shall annoy or disturb a neighborhood or any two (2) or more persons, one (1) of which may be a police officer or an animal control officer.” source
Last verified September 6, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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