Can I keep chickens in Olive Branch, MS?
Yes, with conditions — Olive Branch allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 10 hens where permitted). (Code of Ordinances ch. 10 (Animals), § 10-47 (Livestock), subsecs. (b), (e)(3), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Minimum lot size | 43,560 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Chickens are classified as livestock and may be kept only in the AR (Agricultural Residential) Single-Family District, only on premises of one acre or more, in barns/pens/coops/fenced areas, limited to 10 poultry per acre. Enclosures must be clean and sanitary; fowl may not run at large. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances ch. 10 (Animals), § 10-47 (Livestock), subsecs. (b), (e)(3) |
Olive Branch classifies chickens as livestock, which may be kept only within the AR Single-Family Residential zoning district and only on premises of one acre or larger; under no circumstances may livestock be kept in an AR zone on less than one acre. The number is capped at ten chickens/poultry per acre. Keeping chickens is therefore prohibited on standard residential lots under one acre.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Olive Branch?
Yes, with conditions — Olive Branch allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances ch. 10 (Animals), § 10-47 (Livestock), subsecs. (b), (e)(3)).
How many chickens can I keep in Olive Branch?
Up to 10 hens. Allowed only in the AR zoning district on premises of 1 acre or more, capped at 10 poultry per acre (10 per 43,560 sq ft). Prohibited on lots under one acre and outside AR zoning.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Olive Branch?
Yes — 43,560 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Olive Branch?
Code of Ordinances ch. 10 (Animals), § 10-47 (Livestock), subsecs. (b), (e)(3). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances ch. 10 (Animals), § 10-47 (Livestock), subsecs. (b), (e)(3) — read the official code
“Sec. 10-47. (e)(3) ... It shall be unlawful ... to keep ... any chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, pea fowl, or other poultry or rabbits of any kind, upon any premises, unless such premises comprises an area of one acre or more; and, provided that the total or maximum number ... shall not exceed ten animals or combination of such animals per acre of land.” source
“Sec. 10-47. (b) ... shall be limited to those areas of the city within the AR, Single-Family Residential District ... it shall be unlawful ... to keep ... any livestock of any type if the area provided for said livestock measures less than one acre in size ... In no event and under no circumstances shall livestock be maintained in an AR zone if the premises measures less than one acre.” 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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