Can I keep chickens in Lexington, KY?
Yes — Lexington allows backyard chickens with no permit required. (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | No specific coop construction standards in code; fowl may not run at large or go onto another's property. Birds must be kept so as not to become a nuisance. |
| Code section | Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10 |
Lexington-Fayette permits keeping fowl (chickens) and sets no numeric limit on the number of birds; the only direct requirement is that fowl not run at large or go onto neighboring property. No permit is required and roosters are not specifically banned (a noisy rooster is treated as a nuisance like a barking dog).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lexington?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Lexington (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10).
How many chickens can I keep in Lexington?
Lexington sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Lexington?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Lexington.
Are roosters allowed in Lexington?
Yes, with conditions — see Lexington's rules (Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10).
What law covers backyard chickens in Lexington?
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Code of Ordinances Ch. 4 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 4-10 — read the official code
“No person owning or having in his custody and control any fowl shall permit same to run at large, or to go upon the grounds or property of another, or beyond the bounds of the property of such owner or person in control of such fowl.” 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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