Can I keep chickens in Henderson, KY?
It's unclear — Henderson's code does not clearly address backyard chickens; confirm with the city. (Henderson Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Secs. 6-1, 6-5, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Unclear |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | No coop standards for fowl in the animal code; fowl regulated only via nuisance (noise, waste, health) under Sec. 6-5. |
| Code section | Henderson Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Secs. 6-1, 6-5 |
Henderson's Chapter 6 restricts livestock to lots of 5+ acres, but its livestock definition (horses, sheep, mules, cattle, goats, donkeys) excludes chickens, so the 5-acre rule does not reach hens. No section affirmatively permits or prohibits residential chickens; fowl appear only in the nuisance provision. Residential chicken status is therefore governed by zoning (not the animal code) and is undetermined.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Henderson?
It's unclear — Henderson's code does not clearly address chickens; contact the city (Henderson Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Secs. 6-1, 6-5).
How many chickens can I keep in Henderson?
It depends on your lot. Chickens excluded from the 5-acre livestock rule; no explicit residential hen allowance or prohibition in Ch. 6; fowl regulated only as a nuisance. Zoning likely controls..
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Henderson?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Henderson.
What law covers backyard chickens in Henderson?
Henderson Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Secs. 6-1, 6-5. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Henderson Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Secs. 6-1, 6-5 — read the official code
“The keeping of an animal or fowl which emits sound in an excessive, continuous or untimely fashion.” source
“It shall be unlawful to maintain or house in the city, except in areas zoned agricultural, any livestock on any lots or parcels less than five (5) acres in size. For the purpose of this section, the term livestock shall include horses, sheep, mules, cattle, goats or donkeys.” 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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