Can I keep chickens in Lewiston, ID?
Yes, with conditions — Lewiston allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 12 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Lewiston Code of Ordinances 37-197(4) (Zoning, Article XV), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry (hens only) by right on any single-family/duplex lot except the central business district. 1 hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot, capped at 12 in most residential zones (25 in R-1; 1 per 1,000 uncapped in F-2). Coop min 3 sq ft/bird, run min 9 sq ft/bird; coop to side/behind residence, >=3 ft from property lines and >=10 ft from neighboring residences; run enclosed by 6-ft fence. Owner files a signed acknowledgment form and site plan. Roosters, geese, swine prohibited. |
| Code section | Lewiston Code of Ordinances 37-197(4) (Zoning, Article XV) |
Lewiston allows hens (no roosters) by right on any single-family or duplex lot except the central business district, at 1 hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot area. The cap is zone-dependent: 12 hens in most residential zones, 25 in the R-1 zone, and an uncapped ratio in the agricultural-transitional F-2 zone. Coops require 3 sq ft/bird and runs 9 sq ft/bird, with setbacks of 3 ft from property lines and 10 ft from neighboring residences, and owners must file a signed compliance form and site plan.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lewiston?
Yes, with conditions — Lewiston allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Lewiston Code of Ordinances 37-197(4) (Zoning, Article XV)).
How many chickens can I keep in Lewiston?
Up to 12 hens. 1 hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, max 12. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Lewiston?
Yes — Lewiston requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Lewiston?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lewiston.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lewiston?
10 feet minimum. Poultry (hens only) by right on any single-family/duplex lot except the central business district. 1 hen per 1,000 sq ft of lot, capped at 12 in most residential zones (25 in R-1; 1 per 1,000 uncapped in F-2). Coop min 3 sq ft/bird, run min 9 sq ft/bird; coop to side/behind residence, >=3 ft from property lines and >=10 ft from neighboring residences; run enclosed by 6-ft fence. Owner files a signed acknowledgment form and site plan. Roosters, geese, swine prohibited.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lewiston?
Lewiston Code of Ordinances 37-197(4) (Zoning, Article XV). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Lewiston Code of Ordinances 37-197(4) (Zoning, Article XV) — read the official code
“The maximum number of poultry on a lot in any other zoning district that allows a single-family residential use ... shall be limited to one (1) for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area to a maximum of twelve (12).” source
“The keeping of swine, geese or male chickens, i.e., roosters, is prohibited.” source
“Coops shall be located to the side of or behind an on-site residence, not closer than three (3) feet to any property line and not closer than ten (10) feet to any existing, 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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