Can I keep chickens in Columbus, MS?
Yes, with conditions — Columbus allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Appendix A - Zoning, Sec. 1 (A-1 General Agricultural District), Sec. 15 (Chart of Uses Permitted); Animal Code Ch. 6, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry permitted only in the A-1 General Agricultural District (not in any residential district). In A-1, any pen or building in which livestock is kept must be at least 100 ft from the property line. |
| Code section | Appendix A - Zoning, Sec. 1 (A-1 General Agricultural District), Sec. 15 (Chart of Uses Permitted); Animal Code Ch. 6 |
Columbus's Animal Chapter 6 only bars fowl from running at large. The zoning ordinance (Appendix A) controls where poultry may be kept via the Sec. 15 Chart of Uses Permitted, which marks 'Poultry &/or Egg Farm' as permitted by right only in the A-1 General Agricultural District and not permitted in every residential district (R-1 through R-5). Other agricultural uses follow the same A-1-only pattern, and A-1 requires any livestock pen or building to be at least 100 feet from the property line. The result: keeping poultry is permitted only in the A-1 agricultural zone and is prohibited in all residential districts.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Columbus?
Yes, with conditions — Columbus allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Appendix A - Zoning, Sec. 1 (A-1 General Agricultural District), Sec. 15 (Chart of Uses Permitted); Animal Code Ch. 6).
How many chickens can I keep in Columbus?
It depends on your lot. Poultry (Poultry &/or Egg Farm) permitted by right only in the A-1 General Agricultural District; not permitted in any residential district (R-1 through R-5). A-1 livestock pens must be 100 ft from the property line. No flock cap stated.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Columbus?
100 feet minimum. Poultry permitted only in the A-1 General Agricultural District (not in any residential district). In A-1, any pen or building in which livestock is kept must be at least 100 ft from the property line.
What law covers backyard chickens in Columbus?
Appendix A - Zoning, Sec. 1 (A-1 General Agricultural District), Sec. 15 (Chart of Uses Permitted); Animal Code Ch. 6. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Appendix A - Zoning, Sec. 1 (A-1 General Agricultural District), Sec. 15 (Chart of Uses Permitted); Animal Code Ch. 6 — read the official code
“A-1 General Agricultural District ... This district shall provide an area for agricultural and horticultural uses. (Sec. 1.1) [Sec. 15 Chart of Uses Permitted marks 'Poultry &/or Egg Farm' as permitted (R) only under the A-1 column and not permitted in R-1 through R-5.]” source
“any permitted pen or building in which livestock is kept shall be located not less than one hundred (100) [feet] (A-1 area/setback regulations)” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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