Can I keep chickens in Gulfport, MS?
Yes, with conditions — Gulfport allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 2 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 300 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III, § 7-78 (Regulation of fowl), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 2 |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 300 ft |
| Coop rules | Up to 2 fowl with no special siting; more than 2 only if kept in an enclosed area (electronic fencing allowed) at least 300 ft from any adjoining property line, OR by no-cost special permit from the chief of police/animal officer. Fowl may not run at large or create a noise/smell nuisance. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III, § 7-78 (Regulation of fowl) |
Gulfport allows up to two fowl (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, guineas, pea fowl) anywhere; keeping more than two requires either an enclosure at least 300 feet from any adjoining property line or a no-cost special permit from the chief of police and animal officer. Owners must not let fowl run at large or create a noise/odor nuisance. No rooster-specific ban and no numeric lot-size minimum appear in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Gulfport?
Yes, with conditions — Gulfport allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III, § 7-78 (Regulation of fowl)).
How many chickens can I keep in Gulfport?
Up to 2 hens. Base allowance of 2 fowl; more allowed only with a 300-ft enclosure setback or a no-cost special permit. No numeric per-acre cap is set in the code.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Gulfport?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Gulfport.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Gulfport?
300 feet minimum. Up to 2 fowl with no special siting; more than 2 only if kept in an enclosed area (electronic fencing allowed) at least 300 ft from any adjoining property line, OR by no-cost special permit from the chief of police/animal officer. Fowl may not run at large or create a noise/smell nuisance.
What law covers backyard chickens in Gulfport?
Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III, § 7-78 (Regulation of fowl). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. III, § 7-78 (Regulation of fowl) — read the official code
“Sec. 7-78. (b) It shall be unlawful for the owner of such fowl ... to allow the fowl to run at large and/or create nuisance by means of noise or smell, except carrier pigeons on training or racing flights.” source
“Sec. 7-78. (a) No person shall keep more than two (2) fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons or guineas, or pea fowl, except when kept in an enclosed area, which may include an area enclosed by electronic fencing, at least three hundred (300) feet away from any adjoining property line, or except by special permit issued at no cost by the chief of police and animal officer.” 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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