Can I keep chickens in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Yes — Cedar Rapids allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Municipal Code Chapter 23A (Urban Chickens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Henhouses/chicken tractors/pens at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business. Permit valid one year; applicant must notify adjacent dwellings and complete an approved urban-chicken class. |
| Code section | Municipal Code Chapter 23A (Urban Chickens) |
Cedar Rapids permits up to six hens on a single-family dwelling tract under an annual $25 urban-chicken permit. Only female chickens are allowed; roosters are prohibited. Applicants must notify adjacent dwellings and complete an approved class, and coops must be 10 ft from property lines and 25 ft from adjacent dwellings/churches/schools/businesses.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Cedar Rapids?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Cedar Rapids (Municipal Code Chapter 23A (Urban Chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Cedar Rapids?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cedar Rapids?
Yes — Cedar Rapids requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Cedar Rapids?
No — roosters are prohibited in Cedar Rapids.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Cedar Rapids?
25 feet minimum. Henhouses/chicken tractors/pens at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school or business. Permit valid one year; applicant must notify adjacent dwellings and complete an approved urban-chicken class.
What law covers backyard chickens in Cedar Rapids?
Municipal Code Chapter 23A (Urban Chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Municipal Code Chapter 23A (Urban Chickens) — read the official code
“The ordinance restricts the number of chickens to six per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. Only female chickens (hens) are allowed.” source
“residents will be allowed to raise, harbor or keep hens on single family dwelling properties with a valid permit for one year. The annual permit fee will be $25.” source
“Only female chickens (hens) are allowed.” 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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