Can I keep chickens in Gary, IN?
Yes — Gary allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 200 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 200 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry may not be kept within 200 ft of any dwelling house other than the keeper's/owner's own. Poultry must not run at large. |
| Code section | Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons) |
Gary allows keeping poultry/chickens, but they cannot be kept within 200 feet of any dwelling house other than the keeper's own, and may not run at large. There is no numeric hen limit and no permit in this section. The 200-foot setback makes keeping infeasible on most small urban lots. Aggregator claims of a '4 hen' cap are not in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Gary?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Gary (Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons)).
How many chickens can I keep in Gary?
Gary sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Gary?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Gary.
Are roosters allowed in Gary?
Yes, with conditions — see Gary's rules (Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Gary?
200 feet minimum. Poultry may not be kept within 200 ft of any dwelling house other than the keeper's/owner's own. Poultry must not run at large.
What law covers backyard chickens in Gary?
Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Gary Code Sec. 8-8 (Poultry and pigeons) — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any poultry kept, possessed, or owned by that person to run at large upon any street, alley, or public place within the corporate limits of the city.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any poultry or pigeons or maintain any place where poultry or pigeons are kept, within 200 feet of the dwelling house of any person other than the keeper or owner of the poultry or pigeons.” 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 →