Can I keep chickens in Davenport, IA?
Yes — Davenport 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 6.06 (Urban Chickens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Henhouses/chicken runs/tractors at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any principal structure; rear yard only; min 4 sq ft per bird; manure storage max 3 cubic feet. Permittee must occupy a single-family dwelling and complete an approved class. |
| Code section | Municipal Code Chapter 6.06 (Urban Chickens) |
Davenport allows a maximum of six hens per tract under a permit issued to a single-family dwelling occupant who completes an approved class. Roosters are prohibited and slaughtering chickens in the city is prohibited. Henhouses must be 10 ft from property lines and 25 ft from any principal structure, located in the rear yard.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Davenport?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Davenport (Municipal Code Chapter 6.06 (Urban Chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Davenport?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Davenport?
Yes — Davenport requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Davenport?
No — roosters are prohibited in Davenport.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Davenport?
25 feet minimum. Henhouses/chicken runs/tractors at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any principal structure; rear yard only; min 4 sq ft per bird; manure storage max 3 cubic feet. Permittee must occupy a single-family dwelling and complete an approved class.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Davenport?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Davenport's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Davenport?
Municipal Code Chapter 6.06 (Urban Chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Municipal Code Chapter 6.06 (Urban Chickens) — read the official code
“Only a maximum of six female chickens (hens) are allowed for each tract of land.” source
“No person shall raise, harbor or keep chickens within the City of Davenport without a valid permit obtained from the permitting officer under the provisions of this chapter.” source
“No person shall keep a rooster.” source
“Henhouses, chicken runs and chicken tractors shall be located at least 10 feet from the property line and at least 25 feet from any principal structure” 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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