Can I keep chickens in Ottumwa, IA?
Yes — Ottumwa allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited. (Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-9(d) - Urban chicken and rabbit permits (Ord. No. 3245, 6-17-2025), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop rules | Permit issued by the police chief within 30 days if the applicant meets the city-council-resolution policy. Per the city's official page: max 6 chickens and/or rabbits combined per premises, no roosters, kept in a coop/pen (not at large). Numeric limits, fees and coop standards are set by council resolution, not the code text. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-9(d) - Urban chicken and rabbit permits (Ord. No. 3245, 6-17-2025) |
Ottumwa permits keeping chickens (and rabbits) only with an urban chicken/rabbit permit issued by the police chief; the code (Sec. 7-9(d), Ord. 3245, adopted June 17 2025) sets the permit framework and defers numeric limits, fees and coop standards to a city-council-adopted policy. Per the city's official animal-control page, a maximum of six chickens and/or rabbits combined may be kept per premises and roosters are prohibited. Violations are municipal infractions (250/500/750 dollar civil penalties).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Ottumwa?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Ottumwa (Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-9(d) - Urban chicken and rabbit permits (Ord. No. 3245, 6-17-2025)).
How many chickens can I keep in Ottumwa?
Up to 6 hens. Max 6 chickens AND/OR rabbits combined per premises (per city's official page); no roosters; permit required. Code Sec. 7-9(d) defers exact limits/fees to a council resolution..
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Ottumwa?
Yes — Ottumwa requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Ottumwa?
No — roosters are prohibited in Ottumwa.
What law covers backyard chickens in Ottumwa?
Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-9(d) - Urban chicken and rabbit permits (Ord. No. 3245, 6-17-2025). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Sec. 7-9(d) - Urban chicken and rabbit permits (Ord. No. 3245, 6-17-2025) — read the official code
“Additional requirements, including permit fees, shall be adopted by city council resolution. ... (Ord. No. 3245, Sec. 1, 6-17-2025)” source
“A maximum of six chickens and/or rabbits may be kept per premises. No roosters are allowed.” source
“No person shall raise, harbor, or keep chickens or rabbits without an urban chicken or rabbit permit, issued by the city. ... Within 30 days of submission of the application, the police chief or designee shall either issue the urban chicken or rabbit permit if the applicant meets the requirements of this provision and the policy adopted by city council resolution, or deny the application.” 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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