Can I keep chickens in New Orleans, LA?
Yes — New Orleans allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Sec. 21.6.I (Chicken Coop), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coops/runs in rear yard only; at least 10 ft from all lot lines and 10 ft from any dwelling; kept clean, lighted, ventilated. No manure stored within 20 ft of a lot line. |
| Code section | Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Sec. 21.6.I (Chicken Coop) |
New Orleans allows up to six chickens per property under CZO Sec. 21.6.I, with coops/runs restricted to the rear yard and set back at least 10 feet from lot lines and any dwelling. Roosters are prohibited (a misidentified chick may be kept up to six months). On-site slaughter is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in New Orleans?
Yes — chickens are allowed in New Orleans (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Sec. 21.6.I (Chicken Coop)).
How many chickens can I keep in New Orleans?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in New Orleans?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in New Orleans.
Are roosters allowed in New Orleans?
No — roosters are prohibited in New Orleans.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in New Orleans?
10 feet minimum. Coops/runs in rear yard only; at least 10 ft from all lot lines and 10 ft from any dwelling; kept clean, lighted, ventilated. No manure stored within 20 ft of a lot line.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in New Orleans?
No — slaughter is not permitted under New Orleans's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in New Orleans?
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Sec. 21.6.I (Chicken Coop). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Sec. 21.6.I (Chicken Coop) — read the official code
“No person may keep more than six (6) chickens on any property at one time.” source
“Roosters are not permitted. However, if the gender of a chick cannot be determined at hatching, a chick of either gender may be kept on the property for no more than six (6) months.” source
“Chicken coops and runs are permitted to locate only in the rear yard and shall be located at least ten (10) feet from all lot lines and ten (10) feet from any dwelling.” source
“Slaughtering of chickens on-site is prohibited.” 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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