Can I keep chickens in Thornton, CO?
Yes — Thornton allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 5 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Thornton City Code § 6-53 (Backyard chickens), verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 5 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Single coop only; max 120 sq ft and 7 ft height; min 6 sq ft per chicken; fully enclosed and predator-resistant; yard must be fenced; chickens in coop from dusk until dawn; chickens in backyard only |
| Code section | Thornton City Code § 6-53 (Backyard chickens) |
Thornton allows up to 6 hens (no roosters) at single-family detached homes only — not townhomes, condos, duplexes, or manufactured home parks. No permit required. Coop must be in the backyard, set back at least 5 ft from side and rear property lines, and chickens must be in the coop from dusk to dawn. On-site butchering is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Thornton?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Thornton (Thornton City Code § 6-53 (Backyard chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Thornton?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Thornton?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Thornton.
Are roosters allowed in Thornton?
No — roosters are prohibited in Thornton.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Thornton?
5 feet minimum. Single coop only; max 120 sq ft and 7 ft height; min 6 sq ft per chicken; fully enclosed and predator-resistant; yard must be fenced; chickens in coop from dusk until dawn; chickens in backyard only
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Thornton?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Thornton's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Thornton?
Thornton City Code § 6-53 (Backyard chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Thornton City Code § 6-53 (Backyard chickens) — read the official code
“Six chickens are allowed per single-family detached dwelling. Only chicken hens (female chickens) are allowed. Roosters (male chickens) are prohibited. Chicken coops cannot exceed 120 square feet or seven feet in height, and must be placed at least five feet from the side and rear property lines. A permit is not required. On-site butchering or slaughtering is prohibited.” source
“(1) Backyard chickens are permitted on lots developed with detached residential dwellings in the Residential - Low Density, Residential - Mid Density, Residential - High Density, Planned Development Legacy, Transit-Oriented Development, and Eastlake Residential Zone Districts. ... (2) No more than six backyard chickens are permitted per lot. (3) Only chicken hens (female chickens) are allowed. Roosters (male chickens) are prohibited.” source
“b. The chicken coop shall be setback a minimum of five feet from all side and rear property lines. c. Only one chicken coop is allowed per backyard. ... f. The chicken coop shall not exceed 120 square feet or seven feet in height. g. A minimum of six square feet of space per chicken shall be provided in the chicken coop.” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →