Can I keep chickens in Grand Rapids, MI?
Yes — Grand Rapids allows backyard chickens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (§9.219, §9.220, §5.2.30, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Up to 4 hens on lots under 5,000 sq ft; up to 6 hens on lots 5,000+ sq ft. Coop must be under 8 feet tall, max 6 sq ft per chicken. Must be 10 feet from property lines, cannot exceed 50% of rear yard. |
| Code section | §9.219, §9.220, §5.2.30 |
Grand Rapids permits conditional chicken keeping based on lot size: 4 hens on properties under 5,000 sq ft, 6 hens on properties 5,000+ sq ft. Roosters and slaughter prohibited. Permit required with 10-foot setback from property lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Grand Rapids?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Grand Rapids (§9.219, §9.220, §5.2.30).
How many chickens can I keep in Grand Rapids?
It depends on your lot. Tiered by lot size: 4 up to 5,000 sq ft; 6 up to 100,000 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Grand Rapids?
Yes — Grand Rapids requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Grand Rapids?
No — roosters are prohibited in Grand Rapids.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Grand Rapids?
10 feet minimum. Up to 4 hens on lots under 5,000 sq ft; up to 6 hens on lots 5,000+ sq ft. Coop must be under 8 feet tall, max 6 sq ft per chicken. Must be 10 feet from property lines, cannot exceed 50% of rear yard.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Grand Rapids?
Yes — 5,000 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Grand Rapids?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Grand Rapids's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Grand Rapids?
§9.219, §9.220, §5.2.30. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§9.219, §9.220, §5.2.30 — read the official code
“Chickens may be kept with a valid permit on lots containing single- or two-family dwellings” source
“Up to 4 chickens may be kept on lots of less than 5,000 SF, and up to 6 chickens may be kept on lots larger than 5,000 SF” source
“The chicken coop and chicken yard area must not exceed 50% of the rear yard. Coops and chicken yards must maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from all property lines” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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