Can I keep chickens in Paducah, KY?
Yes, with conditions — Paducah allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 8 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Paducah Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. I, Sec. 14-3 (Ord. No. 2024-04-8809, 4-23-2024), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Fowl kept in a rear-yard enclosure that prevents running at large; no fowl within 100 ft of any dwelling other than the owner's; pens kept clean, sanitary, ventilated, in good repair, and open to inspection. |
| Code section | Paducah Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. I, Sec. 14-3 (Ord. No. 2024-04-8809, 4-23-2024) |
Paducah permits keeping fowl (including chickens), capped at eight total fowl per property after a 2024 amendment, provided they are confined to a rear-yard enclosure at least 100 ft from any dwelling other than the owner's. The 100-ft setback is effectively restrictive on typical small residential lots. No permit is required and roosters are not separately addressed.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Paducah?
Yes, with conditions — Paducah allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Paducah Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. I, Sec. 14-3 (Ord. No. 2024-04-8809, 4-23-2024)).
How many chickens can I keep in Paducah?
Up to 8 hens. Up to 8 total fowl, but the coop/enclosure must be at least 100 ft from any dwelling other than the owner's and rear-yard only, which is effectively restrictive on small lots.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Paducah?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Paducah.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Paducah?
100 feet minimum. Fowl kept in a rear-yard enclosure that prevents running at large; no fowl within 100 ft of any dwelling other than the owner's; pens kept clean, sanitary, ventilated, in good repair, and open to inspection.
What law covers backyard chickens in Paducah?
Paducah Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. I, Sec. 14-3 (Ord. No. 2024-04-8809, 4-23-2024). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Paducah Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Animals), Art. I, Sec. 14-3 (Ord. No. 2024-04-8809, 4-23-2024) — read the official code
“The number of fowl per property should not exceed a total of eight (8) fowl.” source
“unless such fowl be kept in the rear yard of the property within a fence or other enclosure that prevents the fowl from running at large... Such fowl shall not be within one hundred (100) feet of any dwelling house, except the dwelling house of the owner 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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