Can I keep chickens in Fort Wayne, IN?
No — Fort Wayne does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 91 (Animal Care and Control), Sec. 91.001 (Domestic Farm Animal definition) and Sec. 91.019 (keeping prohibited without Planning Services approval), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop rules | Keeping of poultry/chickens prohibited in residential city limits; poultry is classified as a 'Domestic Farm Animal' which may not be kept without approval of the Department of Planning Services. Butchering of farm animals is also prohibited in city limits. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 91 (Animal Care and Control), Sec. 91.001 (Domestic Farm Animal definition) and Sec. 91.019 (keeping prohibited without Planning Services approval) |
Fort Wayne does not allow backyard chickens in residential city limits. Poultry is defined as a 'Domestic Farm Animal' under Ch. 91 and may not be kept without approval from the Department of Planning Services, which is not granted for ordinary residential lots. City Council has rejected urban-chicken ordinances multiple times, most recently in a 7-2 vote in December 2023.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fort Wayne?
No — chickens are not allowed in Fort Wayne (Code of Ordinances Ch. 91 (Animal Care and Control), Sec. 91.001 (Domestic Farm Animal definition) and Sec. 91.019 (keeping prohibited without Planning Services approval)).
Are roosters allowed in Fort Wayne?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fort Wayne.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fort Wayne?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 91 (Animal Care and Control), Sec. 91.001 (Domestic Farm Animal definition) and Sec. 91.019 (keeping prohibited without Planning Services approval). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 91 (Animal Care and Control), Sec. 91.001 (Domestic Farm Animal definition) and Sec. 91.019 (keeping prohibited without Planning Services approval) — read the official code
“Fort Wayne's ordinance meant to allow chickens failed for the third time before the city council, with the final vote occurring on December 6, 2023, failing in a two to seven vote.” source
“Fort Wayne code section 91.001 defines a 'Domestic Farm Animal' as including calves, cattle, emus, goats, horses, ponies, llamas, ostriches, poultry, sheep, pigs or porcine (swine) of any variety... no person shall keep a Domestic Farm Animal in the City limits unless approved by the Department of Planning Services.” 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 →