Can I keep chickens in Grand Rapids, MI?
Yes — Grand Rapids allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Grand Rapids City Code Ch. 155 (Urban Agriculture), Art. 3, Sec. 9.213 (Backyard Chickens), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 3,800 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Lot must be at least 3,800 sq ft to qualify. Lots under 5,000 sq ft may keep 4 chickens; lots over 5,000 sq ft may keep 6. Roosters prohibited at any age. Coop and yard must be 10 feet from all property lines, coop no taller than 8 feet and no more than 6 square feet per chicken, one coop per lot, rear yard only, coop plus yard no more than half the rear yard. Permit required and neighbors may object within 21 days. |
| Code section | Grand Rapids City Code Ch. 155 (Urban Agriculture), Art. 3, Sec. 9.213 (Backyard Chickens) |
Grand Rapids allows backyard chickens by permit on lots of at least 3,800 square feet. Lots under 5,000 square feet may keep four chickens and larger lots may keep six. Roosters are banned outright, the coop must sit 10 feet from all property lines in the rear yard, and neighbors have 21 days to object to an application.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Grand Rapids?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Grand Rapids (Grand Rapids City Code Ch. 155 (Urban Agriculture), Art. 3, Sec. 9.213 (Backyard Chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Grand Rapids?
Up to 6 hens. 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. Lot must be at least 3,800 sq ft to qualify. Lots under 5,000 sq ft may keep 4 chickens; lots over 5,000 sq ft may keep 6. Roosters prohibited at any age. Coop and yard must be 10 feet from all property lines, coop no taller than 8 feet and no more than 6 square feet per chicken, one coop per lot, rear yard only, coop plus yard no more than half the rear yard. Permit required and neighbors may object within 21 days.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Grand Rapids?
Yes — 3,800 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids City Code Ch. 155 (Urban Agriculture), Art. 3, Sec. 9.213 (Backyard Chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Grand Rapids City Code Ch. 155 (Urban Agriculture), Art. 3, Sec. 9.213 (Backyard Chickens) — 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
“Properties less than 5,000 square feet in size are allowed to keep no more than four (4) chickens on their lot. Properties greater than 5,000 square feet in size are allowed to keep no more than six (6) chickens on their lot.” source
“Be at least 3,800 square feet (0.087 acres) in area” source
Last verified August 23, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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