Can I keep chickens in Lafayette, IN?
Yes — Lafayette allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 10.11 (Chickens), adopted Aug. 2025; sunset removed Aug. 2026, verified September 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($0) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Coop and predator-proof pen required; coop fully enclosed, solid roof/door, >=18 in high, >=1 sq ft floor per chicken, ventilated; pen >=2 sq ft per chicken, fence <=6 ft, covered. Coop/pen behind the residence, >=10 ft from property lines and >=20 ft from any dwelling. Free city permit and bird ID required. |
| Code section | Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 10.11 (Chickens), adopted Aug. 2025; sunset removed Aug. 2026 |
Lafayette legalized backyard hens in 2025 and made the ordinance permanent in August 2026. Chapter 10.11 lets residential owners keep a 'chicken flock' of up to five hens and no roosters for non-commercial use. A coop and predator-proof pen are required behind the home, at least 10 feet from property lines and 20 feet from any dwelling, with a free city permit and bird ID.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lafayette?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Lafayette (Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 10.11 (Chickens), adopted Aug. 2025; sunset removed Aug. 2026).
How many chickens can I keep in Lafayette?
Up to 5 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Lafayette?
Yes — Lafayette requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $0).
Are roosters allowed in Lafayette?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lafayette.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lafayette?
10 feet minimum. Coop and predator-proof pen required; coop fully enclosed, solid roof/door, >=18 in high, >=1 sq ft floor per chicken, ventilated; pen >=2 sq ft per chicken, fence <=6 ft, covered. Coop/pen behind the residence, >=10 ft from property lines and >=20 ft from any dwelling. Free city permit and bird ID required.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lafayette?
Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 10.11 (Chickens), adopted Aug. 2025; sunset removed Aug. 2026. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Lafayette Municipal Code Ch. 10.11 (Chickens), adopted Aug. 2025; sunset removed Aug. 2026 — read the official code
“ORDINANCE 2025-___ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10 - ANIMALS ... Chapter 10.11 Chickens” source
“"Chicken flock" means one chicken or a group of two or more chickens which contains no more than five hens and no roosters.” source
“The council, which passed the initial ordinances on a 5-4 vote, voted 7-0 Monday to make the ordinance permanent.” source
“Backyard chicken ordinance now permanent in Lafayette” source
Last verified September 20, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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