Can I keep chickens in Bloomington, IN?
Yes — Bloomington allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($0) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Coop and run required, at least 20 ft from any building used for human housing not owned by the chicken owner and at least 12 ft from any neighboring property line; run provides 12 sq ft per bird; a visual barrier at least 4 ft tall required if visible to neighbors. Kept clean, dry, odor-free. Free annual permit and inspection required before acquiring birds. |
| Code section | Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028 |
Bloomington allows a chicken flock of no more than 5 hens and no roosters as an accessory use in all Residential and Mixed-Use districts. A free annual permit and inspection are required before acquiring birds; the coop and run must be 20 ft from a neighbor's dwelling and 12 ft from property lines, with 12 sq ft of run space per bird. Slaughtering chickens is permitted on the permit holder's own property.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bloomington?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bloomington (Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028).
How many chickens can I keep in Bloomington?
Up to 5 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bloomington?
Yes — Bloomington requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $0).
Are roosters allowed in Bloomington?
No — roosters are prohibited in Bloomington.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bloomington?
20 feet minimum. Coop and run required, at least 20 ft from any building used for human housing not owned by the chicken owner and at least 12 ft from any neighboring property line; run provides 12 sq ft per bird; a visual barrier at least 4 ft tall required if visible to neighbors. Kept clean, dry, odor-free. Free annual permit and inspection required before acquiring birds.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Bloomington?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bloomington?
Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Bloomington Municipal Code Title 7 (Animals), Ch. 7.21, Sec. 7.21.028 — read the official code
“A chicken flock is defined as no more than 5 hens and no roosters.” source
“A permit is good for one year and must be renewed annually... No fee is charged for a permit.” source
“the chicken coop and run must be located at least twenty (20) feet from any building used for human housing and not owned by the chicken owner and must be located at least twelve (12) feet from the property line of any neighboring lot” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →