Can I keep chickens in Independence, MO?
Yes — Independence allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (City Code Sec. 3.02.006, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Hens kept in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage 6 ft from the property line and 50 ft from another residence (up to 6 hens). Larger flocks need greater distance: up to 20 fowl require 100 ft, more than 20 require 200 ft. Fly-tight covered manure receptacle; kept clean. No outdoor slaughter except in the R-A zone. |
| Code section | City Code Sec. 3.02.006 |
Independence allows up to 6 hens (no roosters) for noncommercial purposes, with the coop 6 ft from the property line and 50 ft from another residence. Larger flocks are permitted with greater setbacks: up to 20 fowl require 100 ft, and more than 20 require 200 ft from other residences. Outdoor slaughtering is prohibited except in the R-A (agricultural) zoning district, where any number of fowl including roosters may be kept.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Independence?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Independence (City Code Sec. 3.02.006).
How many chickens can I keep in Independence?
Up to 6 hens.
Are roosters allowed in Independence?
No — roosters are prohibited in Independence.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Independence?
50 feet minimum. Hens kept in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage 6 ft from the property line and 50 ft from another residence (up to 6 hens). Larger flocks need greater distance: up to 20 fowl require 100 ft, more than 20 require 200 ft. Fly-tight covered manure receptacle; kept clean. No outdoor slaughter except in the R-A zone.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Independence?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Independence's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Independence?
City Code Sec. 3.02.006. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
City Code Sec. 3.02.006 — read the official code
“Up to six (6) chicken hens (no roosters), for non-commercial purposes only ... Setback from property line Six feet (6') ... Setback from other residence Fifty feet (50')” source
“Up to ten (10) small animals or up to twenty (20) fowl (no roosters) ... One hundred (100') ... More than ten (10) small animals or more than twenty (20) fowl (no roosters) kept for any purpose ... Two hundred feet (200')” source
“Except in zoning district R-A, there shall be no outdoor slaughtering.” 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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