Can I keep chickens in Bloomington, MN?
Yes — Bloomington allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 30 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Bloomington City Code 12.115 and 21.302.05, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 30 ft |
| Coop rules | Shelter/enclosure min 30 ft from lot line; shelter min 50 ft from any dwelling on an abutting parcel; rear or side yard only; six-foot solid privacy fence screening required. Shelter max 120 sq ft and 6 ft tall; enclosure max 20 sq ft per bird with overhead netting; winterized shelter required. Chickens over 4 weeks may not be kept in a dwelling or garage. |
| Code section | Bloomington City Code 12.115 and 21.302.05 |
Bloomington allows up to four hen chickens on single-family or two-family residential properties; chickens are not allowed on properties with three or more dwelling units. Roosters are prohibited citywide. Strict shelter rules apply, including a 30-foot setback from lot lines, 50-foot setback from abutting dwellings, rear/side-yard placement, and six-foot privacy-fence screening.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bloomington?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bloomington (Bloomington City Code 12.115 and 21.302.05).
How many chickens can I keep in Bloomington?
Up to 4 hens.
Are roosters allowed in Bloomington?
No — roosters are prohibited in Bloomington.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bloomington?
30 feet minimum. Shelter/enclosure min 30 ft from lot line; shelter min 50 ft from any dwelling on an abutting parcel; rear or side yard only; six-foot solid privacy fence screening required. Shelter max 120 sq ft and 6 ft tall; enclosure max 20 sq ft per bird with overhead netting; winterized shelter required. Chickens over 4 weeks may not be kept in a dwelling or garage.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bloomington?
Bloomington City Code 12.115 and 21.302.05. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Bloomington City Code 12.115 and 21.302.05 — read the official code
“No person shall keep on any single-family or two-family residential property more than four total hen chickens... Chickens are not allowed on properties with three or more dwelling units. No person shall keep roosters, or adult male chickens, on any property within the city... Setback for shelters and enclosures for chickens is a minimum of 30 feet from the property lot line; A shelter must be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any dwelling on an abutting parcel...” 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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