Can I keep chickens in Commerce City, CO?
Yes — Commerce City allows backyard chickens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited. (Commerce City Municipal Code Ch. 4 (Animal Code), Ordinance 2577 (2024), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop rules | No numerical hen cap; 16 sq ft of permeable outdoor area required per bird; 2 sq ft of coop space per bird; setback equals principal-building setback for the zone; roosters, peafowl, emus, ostriches, and turkeys prohibited |
| Code section | Commerce City Municipal Code Ch. 4 (Animal Code), Ordinance 2577 (2024) |
Commerce City voters approved backyard chickens in November 2023; Ordinance 2577 took effect in 2024. There is no numerical hen limit — only space requirements of 16 sq ft of outdoor permeable area and 2 sq ft of coop space per bird. A non-transferable permit is required; fee is set by city council resolution separately from the ordinance. Roosters are prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Commerce City?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Commerce City (Commerce City Municipal Code Ch. 4 (Animal Code), Ordinance 2577 (2024)).
How many chickens can I keep in Commerce City?
It depends on your lot. No numerical cap; 16 sq ft permeable outdoor area per bird and 2 sq ft coop space per bird required; effective limit depends on available yard space.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Commerce City?
Yes — Commerce City requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Commerce City?
No — roosters are prohibited in Commerce City.
What law covers backyard chickens in Commerce City?
Commerce City Municipal Code Ch. 4 (Animal Code), Ordinance 2577 (2024). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Commerce City Municipal Code Ch. 4 (Animal Code), Ordinance 2577 (2024) — read the official code
“Section 4-5002(b): An outdoor enclosure must be provided which, at a minimum, must provide sixteen (16) feet of permeable land area available for each chicken. Section 4-5002(l): Coops and enclosures must have a set-back from the nearest property line equal to the set-back required of the principal building on the property.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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