Can I keep chickens in Lee's Summit, MO?
Yes — Lee's Summit allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 40 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. VII, Secs. 5-200 to 5-209 (Ord. No. 10334, 3-3-2026), verified October 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 40 ft |
| Coop rules | Henhouse/chicken tractor enclosed on all sides with roof and lockable doors; predator-proof wire under 1 inch; at least 10 ft from property line and 40 ft from adjacent residence, church, school or business; max 4 sq ft per chicken; max 10 ft tall; pen of sturdy wire fencing covered with wire, netting or roofing. Setbacks and limits do not apply when chickens are 400+ ft from another inhabitant's residence. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. VII, Secs. 5-200 to 5-209 (Ord. No. 10334, 3-3-2026) |
Lee's Summit allows up to six hens per tract, or eight hens on residential parcels larger than one-half acre (amended March 3, 2026). Only female chickens are allowed, so no roosters, and commercial breeding is unlawful. Henhouses and pens must sit at least 10 feet from the property line and 40 feet from any adjacent dwelling, church, school or business, unless the chickens are kept 400+ feet from any other resident's home.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lee's Summit?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Lee's Summit (Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. VII, Secs. 5-200 to 5-209 (Ord. No. 10334, 3-3-2026)).
How many chickens can I keep in Lee's Summit?
Up to 8 hens. Tiered by lot size: 6 up to 21,780 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Lee's Summit?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Lee's Summit.
Are roosters allowed in Lee's Summit?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lee's Summit.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lee's Summit?
40 feet minimum. Henhouse/chicken tractor enclosed on all sides with roof and lockable doors; predator-proof wire under 1 inch; at least 10 ft from property line and 40 ft from adjacent residence, church, school or business; max 4 sq ft per chicken; max 10 ft tall; pen of sturdy wire fencing covered with wire, netting or roofing. Setbacks and limits do not apply when chickens are 400+ ft from another inhabitant's residence.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lee's Summit?
Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. VII, Secs. 5-200 to 5-209 (Ord. No. 10334, 3-3-2026). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. VII, Secs. 5-200 to 5-209 (Ord. No. 10334, 3-3-2026) — read the official code
“Residents are allowed to keep six hens on their property as long as they are properly contained and no closer than ten feet from the property line or forty feet from the next nearest residence. Chicken pens must remain clean and impervious to predators.” source
“The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the track except that a maximum number of chickens allowed is eight (8) per tract on residential parcels greater than one-half (1/2) acre. (Ord. No. 10334, 1, 3-3-2026)” source
“Only female chickens are allowed.” source
“Henhouses, chicken tractors and chicken pens must be located at least ten (10) feet from the property line and at least forty (40) feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, or place of business.” source
Last verified October 25, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →