Can I keep chickens in South Bend, IN?
Yes — South Bend allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (South Bend Municipal Code Ch. 5 Art. 4, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations); Sec. 5-36, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Single-family dwelling only. Current Chicken Coop Permit required plus Indiana BOAH registration. Coop predator/rodent-proof with solid sides/roof, lockable doors, 18 in. height, 1 sq ft per chicken; pen 2 sq ft per chicken, fence <=6 ft, covered. Coop and pen behind the residence, >=15 ft from any property line and >=20 ft from any residential dwelling. |
| Code section | South Bend Municipal Code Ch. 5 Art. 4, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations); Sec. 5-36 |
South Bend permits up to six chickens (roosters prohibited) at residentially zoned single-family dwellings, with a required Chicken Coop Permit and Indiana Board of Animal Health registration. The coop and pen must sit behind the residence, at least 15 feet from any property line and 20 feet from any residential dwelling, and meet detailed predator-proofing and space standards. Multi-family dwellings do not qualify.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in South Bend?
Yes — chickens are allowed in South Bend (South Bend Municipal Code Ch. 5 Art. 4, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations); Sec. 5-36).
How many chickens can I keep in South Bend?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in South Bend?
Yes — South Bend requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in South Bend?
No — roosters are prohibited in South Bend.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in South Bend?
20 feet minimum. Single-family dwelling only. Current Chicken Coop Permit required plus Indiana BOAH registration. Coop predator/rodent-proof with solid sides/roof, lockable doors, 18 in. height, 1 sq ft per chicken; pen 2 sq ft per chicken, fence <=6 ft, covered. Coop and pen behind the residence, >=15 ft from any property line and >=20 ft from any residential dwelling.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in South Bend?
No — slaughter is not permitted under South Bend's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in South Bend?
South Bend Municipal Code Ch. 5 Art. 4, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations); Sec. 5-36. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
South Bend Municipal Code Ch. 5 Art. 4, Sec. 5-37 (Urban chicken regulations); Sec. 5-36 — read the official code
“Any person owning or harboring one (1) or more chickens (roosters are not permitted and no more than six (6) chickens permitted) in a residentially zoned district must comply with the following...” source
“Shall have a current Chicken Coop Permit on file with the Division of Animal Welfare. Shall register with the Board of Animal Health (BOAH)... Residence shall be a single-family dwelling (multi-family dwellings do not qualify).” source
“Both the coop and pen location shall be situated behind the residential structure and be a minimum of fifteen feet (15') from any property line and twenty feet (20') from any residential 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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