Can I keep chickens in Pineville, LA?
Yes, with conditions — Pineville allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-3 and Sec. 6-7, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 43,560 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Chickens/poultry are 'livestock' under the code. Keeping requires a minimum 1 acre for the first animal plus 0.5 acre per additional animal - UNLESS kept in a building/pen or fenced area at least 100 ft from the nearest neighboring habitable structure, eating place, church, school or hospital, in which case the acreage minimum does not apply. Enforced only on written complaint. Hogs prohibited. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-3 and Sec. 6-7 |
Pineville defines 'livestock' to expressly include 'chickens, turkeys, and other poultry,' so the livestock rules govern backyard chickens. Keeping requires at least one acre for the first bird plus a half-acre per additional bird, but that acreage requirement is waived if the birds are housed in a pen/building or fenced area kept at least 100 feet from any neighboring home, church, school, hospital or eating place. The rule is enforced only on a written signed complaint.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Pineville?
Yes, with conditions — Pineville allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-3 and Sec. 6-7).
How many chickens can I keep in Pineville?
It depends on your lot. Chickens are 'livestock.' Base rule: min 1 acre (43,560 sqft) for first animal + 0.5 acre per additional. EXCEPTION: acreage requirement waived if kept in a building/pen or fenced area >=100 ft from nearest neighboring habitable structure/eating place/church/school/hospital. Enforced only on written complaint.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Pineville?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Pineville.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Pineville?
100 feet minimum. Chickens/poultry are 'livestock' under the code. Keeping requires a minimum 1 acre for the first animal plus 0.5 acre per additional animal - UNLESS kept in a building/pen or fenced area at least 100 ft from the nearest neighboring habitable structure, eating place, church, school or hospital, in which case the acreage minimum does not apply. Enforced only on written complaint. Hogs prohibited.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Pineville?
Yes — 43,560 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Pineville?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-3 and Sec. 6-7. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals and Fowl), Sec. 6-3 and Sec. 6-7 — read the official code
“The term "livestock" means any animal except dogs and cats ... This definition includes but is not limited to ... chickens, turkeys, and other poultry; rabbits” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, possess or maintain any livestock on any parcel of land unless such parcel of land shall have a minimum of one acre for the first livestock animal plus a minimum of one-half acre for each additional livestock animal” source
“In a building or structure such as a stable, barn, shed or pen being a minimum of 100 feet, measured in a straight line, from the nearest point of a neighboring structure used for human habitation other than that of the livestock owner, public eating place, church, school or hospital;” 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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