Can I keep chickens in Gretna, LA?
Yes, with conditions — Gretna allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Unified Development Code Sec. 58-110(a)(8) (Poultry as Accessory Use); Code of Ordinances Ch. 8, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | A resident of a single-family dwelling in an R-1 or R-2 district may keep up to 4 chickens, all hens, in a fenced yard, with the chicken coop no closer than 10 feet to the nearest property line. Not allowed in R-3 (multifamily). Fowl may not run at large. |
| Code section | Unified Development Code Sec. 58-110(a)(8) (Poultry as Accessory Use); Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 |
Gretna's Unified Development Code allows backyard hens as an accessory use in the R-1 and R-2 single-family districts: up to 4 chickens, all hens (no roosters), kept in a fenced yard, with the coop at least 10 ft from the nearest property line. Poultry is not a listed accessory use in R-3 (multifamily). The Ch. 8 300-ft setback applies only to 'goat, cow, horse or other livestock,' not fowl.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Gretna?
Yes, with conditions — Gretna allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Unified Development Code Sec. 58-110(a)(8) (Poultry as Accessory Use); Code of Ordinances Ch. 8).
How many chickens can I keep in Gretna?
Up to 4 hens. Up to 4 hens (no roosters) as an accessory use in R-1/R-2 single-family districts only; fenced yard, coop >=10 ft from property line. Not allowed in R-3.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Gretna?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Gretna.
Are roosters allowed in Gretna?
No — roosters are prohibited in Gretna.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Gretna?
10 feet minimum. A resident of a single-family dwelling in an R-1 or R-2 district may keep up to 4 chickens, all hens, in a fenced yard, with the chicken coop no closer than 10 feet to the nearest property line. Not allowed in R-3 (multifamily). Fowl may not run at large.
What law covers backyard chickens in Gretna?
Unified Development Code Sec. 58-110(a)(8) (Poultry as Accessory Use); Code of Ordinances Ch. 8. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Unified Development Code Sec. 58-110(a)(8) (Poultry as Accessory Use); Code of Ordinances Ch. 8 — read the official code
“Keeping of poultry as an accessory to residential use S S Sec. 58-110(a)(8)” source
“The resident of a single-family dwelling in an R-1 or R-2 zoning district may keep up to four (4) chickens provided that they are all hens, are kept in a fenced yard and that no chicken coop is located closer than ten (10) feet from the nearest property line.” 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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