Can I keep chickens in Bozeman, MT?
Yes — Bozeman allows backyard chickens, up to 15 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 15 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Covered, predator-proof, ventilated chicken house adjacent to enclosure; coop no closer than 20 ft to a structure inhabited by another and no closer than 5 ft to any property line; chickens contained on property. |
| Code section | Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070 |
Bozeman allows up to 15 female hens (no roosters over 3 months) per permit holder, scaling with lot size: four hens for the first 3,000 sq ft plus one per additional 1,000 sq ft, capped at 15. A permit is required; coops must be at least 20 ft from another's dwelling and 5 ft from property lines. Slaughter is allowed but not within public view.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bozeman?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bozeman (Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070).
How many chickens can I keep in Bozeman?
Up to 15 hens. 4 hens on lots of 3,000+ sq ft, +1 per 1 sq ft above 1,000, max 15.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bozeman?
Yes — Bozeman requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Bozeman?
No — roosters are prohibited in Bozeman.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bozeman?
20 feet minimum. Covered, predator-proof, ventilated chicken house adjacent to enclosure; coop no closer than 20 ft to a structure inhabited by another and no closer than 5 ft to any property line; chickens contained on property.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Bozeman?
Yes — 3,000 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Bozeman?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bozeman?
Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Bozeman Municipal Code Sec. 8.02.070 — read the official code
“For the first 3,000 square feet of any residential parcel, up to four chickens; For each additional 1,000 square feet of any residential parcel, one additional hen up to a maximum of 15” source
“it shall be lawful to keep of up to 15 female domestic chickens (hens) per permit holder.” source
“No male chickens (roosters) over the age of three months are permitted.” source
“closer than 20 feet to any structure inhabited by someone other than the chicken owner, custodian, or keeper, and not closer than five feet to any property line.” 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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