Can I keep chickens in Des Moines, IA?
Yes — Des Moines allows backyard chickens, up to 30 hens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 30 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Coops/enclosures at least 25 ft from any neighboring dwelling, no closer than 5 ft to any property line, never in a front or street-side yard. Kept free of odors, insects, rodents and disturbing noise. |
| Code section | Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024) |
Des Moines allows hens (and other small fowl) without a permit on residential lots; on parcels under one acre fowl are limited to two species and 30 total. Roosters are allowed only with written consent of all abutting occupants/owners. Enclosures must be 25 ft from neighboring dwellings, 5 ft from property lines, and not in the front yard.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Des Moines?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Des Moines (Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024)).
How many chickens can I keep in Des Moines?
Up to 30 hens. Tiered by lot size: 30 up to 43,560 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Des Moines?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Des Moines.
Are roosters allowed in Des Moines?
Yes, with conditions — see Des Moines's rules (Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Des Moines?
25 feet minimum. Coops/enclosures at least 25 ft from any neighboring dwelling, no closer than 5 ft to any property line, never in a front or street-side yard. Kept free of odors, insects, rodents and disturbing noise.
What law covers backyard chickens in Des Moines?
Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Municipal Code Sec. 18-4; Secs. 18-19, 18-20 (Ord. of 11-18-2024) — read the official code
“On any parcel of land less than an acre, such animals shall be limited to two species and 30 in total number, unless by state and national standards more are permitted.” source
“No, there is no required license or permit. However, owners of roosters maintained in the city must have consent from abutting residences.” source
“Roosters shall not be permitted under subsection (h) unless written consent to the keeping of roosters is first obtained from each lawful occupant (if not owner occupied) or owner of abutting residences.” source
“Cages, hutches, coops, cotes, lofts or other confinement shall be at least 25 feet away from any neighboring residence” 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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