Can I keep chickens in St. Peters, MO?
Yes, with conditions — St. Peters allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 8 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited. (Section 205.070(E); 205.020(L); 205.106, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Minimum lot size | 43,560 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Hen coop 4 sq ft per hen up to 32 sq ft; hen pen 10 sq ft per chicken up to 80 sq ft; coops may not exceed 6 ft in height. Chicken manure removed from enclosure every 48 hours. Hens permitted only on a lot of one acre or more. |
| Code section | Section 205.070(E); 205.020(L); 205.106 |
St. Peters allows up to eight hens (no roosters) only on residential lots of one acre or more, and only with a Hen Permit issued under Section 205.106. Coops and pens have per-hen and maximum size limits and a 6-foot height cap. The one-acre minimum makes hen-keeping unavailable on most standard residential lots.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in St. Peters?
Yes, with conditions — St. Peters allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Section 205.070(E); 205.020(L); 205.106).
How many chickens can I keep in St. Peters?
Up to 8 hens. Max 8 hens, but only permitted on lots of 1 acre (43,560 sq ft) or more and only with a Hen Permit; roosters never permitted in residential districts.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in St. Peters?
Yes — St. Peters requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in St. Peters?
No — roosters are prohibited in St. Peters.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in St. Peters?
Yes — 43,560 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in St. Peters?
Section 205.070(E); 205.020(L); 205.106. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Section 205.070(E); 205.020(L); 205.106 — read the official code
“Hen enclosures shall be constructed to include four (4) square feet of space inside the coop per hen, up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in size. Hen pens shall be constructed to include ten (10) square feet of outdoor space per chicken, up to a maximum of eighty (80) square feet in size. Coops may not exceed six (6) feet in height. (Sec. 205.020(L)(1))” source
“A person that has been issued a Hen Permit pursuant to Section 205.106... shall be permitted to keep chickens (hens) in residential zoning districts on lots of one (1) acre or more... Roosters are not permitted in residential zoning districts... No more than eight (8) hens in total shall be permitted on a residential property of any size or type. (Sec. 205.070(E))” source
“...shall be permitted to keep chickens (hens) in residential zoning districts on lots of one (1) acre or more... (Sec. 205.070(E))” 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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