Can I keep chickens in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Yes — Cape Girardeau 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. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Henhouse/chicken tractor/pen in rear yard only, at least 10 ft from any property line and at least 25 ft from any principal structure on an adjacent property; fully enclosed with roof and lockable doors; predator/rodent-proof; clean and odor-free. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933) |
Cape Girardeau allows up to six chickens per tract of land regardless of the number of dwelling units, and only female chickens (no roosters). Coops must be in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from any adjacent principal structure. Raising chickens for slaughter is prohibited, but an owner may slaughter their own birds indoors for personal food consumption.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Cape Girardeau?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Cape Girardeau (Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933)).
How many chickens can I keep in Cape Girardeau?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cape Girardeau?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Cape Girardeau.
Are roosters allowed in Cape Girardeau?
No — roosters are prohibited in Cape Girardeau.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Cape Girardeau?
10 feet minimum. Henhouse/chicken tractor/pen in rear yard only, at least 10 ft from any property line and at least 25 ft from any principal structure on an adjacent property; fully enclosed with roof and lockable doors; predator/rodent-proof; clean and odor-free.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Cape Girardeau?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933).
What law covers backyard chickens in Cape Girardeau?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 6, Sec. 6-41 (Ord. No. 4933) — read the official code
“The maximum number of chickens allowed is six per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract.” source
“Only female chickens are allowed. There is no restriction on chicken species.” source
“Henhouses, chicken tractors and chicken pens shall only be located in the rear yard and shall be at least ten feet from any property line and at least 25 feet from any principal structure on an adjacent property.” source
“It is also unlawful for anyone to raise chickens for slaughter. Any chicken slaughtering shall only be conducted indoors and shall solely be for the purpose of the owner or keeper consuming them as food.” 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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