Can I keep chickens in Evansville, IN?
Yes — Evansville allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Evansville Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Animal Control), Sec. 6.05.040(A)(18), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($5) |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Coop rules | No coop housing chickens/fowl may be within 50 ft of any neighbor's dwelling. Premises kept sanitary. Annual poultry license required ($5 per premises). |
| Code section | Evansville Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Animal Control), Sec. 6.05.040(A)(18) |
Evansville allows up to six chickens, ducks, turkeys or other domestic fowl (or any combination) per parcel, counting only birds over eight weeks of age. Any coop must be at least 50 feet from a neighbor's dwelling, and fowl require an annual license at $5 per premises.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Evansville?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Evansville (Evansville Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Animal Control), Sec. 6.05.040(A)(18)).
How many chickens can I keep in Evansville?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Evansville?
Yes — Evansville requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $5).
Are roosters allowed in Evansville?
No — roosters are prohibited in Evansville.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Evansville?
50 feet minimum. No coop housing chickens/fowl may be within 50 ft of any neighbor's dwelling. Premises kept sanitary. Annual poultry license required ($5 per premises).
What law covers backyard chickens in Evansville?
Evansville Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Animal Control), Sec. 6.05.040(A)(18). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Evansville Municipal Code Ch. 6.05 (Animal Control), Sec. 6.05.040(A)(18) — read the official code
“No more than six chickens, ducks, turkeys or other domestic fowl, or combination thereof, shall be maintained at any one parcel of property. In calculating the number of chickens, ducks or other domestic fowl, only animals over eight weeks of age shall be counted.” source
“Poultry, pigeons, doves, and rabbits per premises - $5.00 per premises annually” source
“No person shall keep or maintain any coop in which chickens, ducks, pigeons, turkeys or other domestic fowl and poultry are kept within a distance of less than 50 feet from any neighbor's dwelling.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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