Can I keep chickens in St. Charles, MO?
Yes — St. Charles allows backyard chickens, up to 12 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Section 400.400(C), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Hens confined in a wire run (min 10 sq ft per hen, <=6 ft high) entirely in the rear yard. One coop per lot, <=100 sq ft, 4 sq ft per hen, walls <=6 ft. Run/coop at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any residence other than owner's. |
| Code section | Section 400.400(C) |
The City of St. Charles permits hens only (no roosters) on residential property without a permit. Lots of 7,000 sq ft or less may keep 8 hens, with one additional hen per 2,000 sq ft above 7,000, up to a maximum of 12. Hens must be in a rear-yard run and coop meeting setback and size limits; on-site slaughter is allowed only where it cannot be observed from another property, street, or alley.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in St. Charles?
Yes — chickens are allowed in St. Charles (Section 400.400(C)).
How many chickens can I keep in St. Charles?
Up to 12 hens. 8 hens, +1 per 2,000 sq ft above 7,000, max 12.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in St. Charles?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in St. Charles.
Are roosters allowed in St. Charles?
No — roosters are prohibited in St. Charles.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in St. Charles?
25 feet minimum. Hens confined in a wire run (min 10 sq ft per hen, <=6 ft high) entirely in the rear yard. One coop per lot, <=100 sq ft, 4 sq ft per hen, walls <=6 ft. Run/coop at least 10 ft from property line and 25 ft from any residence other than owner's.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in St. Charles?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Section 400.400(C).
What law covers backyard chickens in St. Charles?
Section 400.400(C). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Section 400.400(C) — read the official code
“Only hens may be kept on residential property. Roosters are prohibited. In residential lots of seven thousand (7,000) square feet or less, the maximum number of hens that may be kept is eight (8). One (1) additional hen is permitted for each two thousand (2,000) square feet of lot area greater than seven thousand (7,000) square feet to a maximum of twelve (12) hens. (Sec. 400.400(C)(1))” source
“The run (enclosure) and chicken coop may be located within a rear yard setback... a. Minimum of ten (10) feet from any property line; and b. Minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any residence other than the owner's residence. (Sec. 400.400(C)(5))” source
“Chickens shall not be slaughtered at any location on the property where the slaughtering may be observed from another property or a street or alley. (Sec. 400.400(C)(8))” 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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