Can I keep chickens in Wichita, KS?
Yes — Wichita allows backyard chickens, up to 12 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of the City of Wichita, Ch. 6.04.157-6.04.159 (Animal Maintenance Permit), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Up to 3 fowl with no permit; 4-12 require an Animal Maintenance Permit. Enclosures for smaller animals must be 10 ft from the property line if within 50 ft of an adjacent dwelling. |
| Code section | Code of the City of Wichita, Ch. 6.04.157-6.04.159 (Animal Maintenance Permit) |
Wichita allows up to 3 fowl per residence with no permit. To keep 4 to a maximum of 12 fowl, a $25 annual Animal Maintenance Permit is required. Roosters are specifically prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Wichita?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Wichita (Code of the City of Wichita, Ch. 6.04.157-6.04.159 (Animal Maintenance Permit)).
How many chickens can I keep in Wichita?
Up to 12 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Wichita?
Yes — Wichita requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Wichita?
No — roosters are prohibited in Wichita.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Wichita?
10 feet minimum. Up to 3 fowl with no permit; 4-12 require an Animal Maintenance Permit. Enclosures for smaller animals must be 10 ft from the property line if within 50 ft of an adjacent dwelling.
What law covers backyard chickens in Wichita?
Code of the City of Wichita, Ch. 6.04.157-6.04.159 (Animal Maintenance Permit). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of the City of Wichita, Ch. 6.04.157-6.04.159 (Animal Maintenance Permit) — read the official code
“Fowl ... MINIMUM REQUIRED FOR PERMIT 4 ... MAXIMUM ALLOWED WITH PERMIT 12 (25 pigeons)” source
“The cost for an Animal Maintenance Permit is $25.00 for animals other than livestock” source
“An Animal Maintenance Permit is required if a person residing in the City of Wichita wishes to keep more than 3 dogs, 3 cats, 3 rabbits, 3 fowl, or 1 livestock animal” source
“Male goats, roosters, guinea cocks, peacocks or hogs are not allowed.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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