Can I keep chickens in Southaven, MS?
Yes, with conditions — Southaven allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 250 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of Ordinances tit. III (Animal Control), § 3-9 (Keeping of animals within city limits), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Coop setback | 250 ft |
| Coop rules | Fowl/livestock may not be kept within 250 ft of any residence in any non-agricultural zone; if kept beyond 250 ft, must be in a secure fence/cage preventing roaming. Effectively limited to agricultural zoning or very large lots. |
| Code section | Code of Ordinances tit. III (Animal Control), § 3-9 (Keeping of animals within city limits) |
Southaven prohibits keeping any fowl or livestock within 250 feet of any building used as a residence in any zone other than agricultural; fowl kept beyond 250 feet must be in a secure fence/cage system. This effectively bars backyard chickens on typical residential lots and confines them to agricultural zones (or lots large enough to meet the 250-foot separation). No numeric hen limit is set for fowl specifically.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Southaven?
Yes, with conditions — Southaven allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Code of Ordinances tit. III (Animal Control), § 3-9 (Keeping of animals within city limits)).
How many chickens can I keep in Southaven?
It depends on your lot. Fowl barred within 250 ft of any residence outside agricultural zoning; allowed only in ag zones or where a 250-ft residence separation can be met. No numeric hen 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 Southaven?
250 feet minimum. Fowl/livestock may not be kept within 250 ft of any residence in any non-agricultural zone; if kept beyond 250 ft, must be in a secure fence/cage preventing roaming. Effectively limited to agricultural zoning or very large lots.
What law covers backyard chickens in Southaven?
Code of Ordinances tit. III (Animal Control), § 3-9 (Keeping of animals within city limits). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of Ordinances tit. III (Animal Control), § 3-9 (Keeping of animals within city limits) — read the official code
“Sec. 3-9. (a) ... It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any fowl or any livestock animals ... in any area zoned other than agricultural, within two hundred fifty (250) feet of any building within the corporate limits of the city used as a residence ... Also, any such fowl or livestock kept or maintained beyond two hundred fifty (250) feet of any residence shall be held in a secure fence/cage system that does not allow for such animals to roam from their owner's property.” 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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