Can I keep chickens in Garden City, ID?
Yes, with conditions — Garden City allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Garden City Code 4-5-6(L) (citywide prohibition); Title 8, Article 8-2C-3 (Agriculture), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Livestock/domestic fowl prohibited citywide except as allowed by zoning. Chickens allowed only under the nonresidential 'Agriculture' land use (8-2C-3): max 12 chickens per acre, roosters prohibited; 25 sq ft for the first chicken plus 12 sq ft per additional; buildings/confinement >=40 ft from any off-site residence and >=20 ft from property lines; penned feeding/sheltering >=100 ft from any adjacent residential structure. |
| Code section | Garden City Code 4-5-6(L) (citywide prohibition); Title 8, Article 8-2C-3 (Agriculture) |
Garden City makes it unlawful to keep livestock or domestic fowl within city limits except as allowed by zoning. Chickens are not a standard residential accessory use; they are permitted only under the nonresidential 'Agriculture' land use, capped at 12 chickens per acre with roosters prohibited and substantial setbacks (100 ft from adjacent residences). In standard residential neighborhoods chickens are effectively not allowed, which is why a citizen petition to permit backyard chickens exists.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Garden City?
Yes, with conditions — Garden City allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Garden City Code 4-5-6(L) (citywide prohibition); Title 8, Article 8-2C-3 (Agriculture)).
How many chickens can I keep in Garden City?
It depends on your lot. Allowed only as the nonresidential 'Agriculture' land use (8-2C-3) where permitted by zoning; not a residential accessory use. Density capped at 12 chickens per acre, roosters prohibited, 100 ft setback from adjacent residences, 25 sq ft for first chicken + 12 sq ft each additional.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Are roosters allowed in Garden City?
No — roosters are prohibited in Garden City.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Garden City?
100 feet minimum. Livestock/domestic fowl prohibited citywide except as allowed by zoning. Chickens allowed only under the nonresidential 'Agriculture' land use (8-2C-3): max 12 chickens per acre, roosters prohibited; 25 sq ft for the first chicken plus 12 sq ft per additional; buildings/confinement >=40 ft from any off-site residence and >=20 ft from property lines; penned feeding/sheltering >=100 ft from any adjacent residential structure.
What law covers backyard chickens in Garden City?
Garden City Code 4-5-6(L) (citywide prohibition); Title 8, Article 8-2C-3 (Agriculture). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Garden City Code 4-5-6(L) (citywide prohibition); Title 8, Article 8-2C-3 (Agriculture) — read the official code
“Except as allowed by applicable zoning regulations, it shall be unlawful for any person to stable, keep, pasture or maintain within the city limits any livestock, domestic fowl or any animal of a wild or nondomestic species” source
“twelve (12) chickens per acre or an equivalent animal density as approved by the planning official” source
“Roosters are not permitted.” source
“The feeding or sheltering of animals or poultry in penned enclosures shall not be within one hundred feet (100') of any adjacent residential 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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