Can I keep chickens in Dillon, MT?
Yes — Dillon allows backyard chickens, up to 10 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Dillon Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 (Ord. 454, 2017), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 2,875 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Covered, predator-proof, ventilated chicken house (min 2 sq ft/chicken) plus enclosure; secured sunset to sunrise; feed in rodent/predator-proof containers. Chicken houses >=20 ft from any inhabited structure of others and >=5 ft from any property line. Annual inspection for permits of 5+ chickens. |
| Code section | Dillon Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 (Ord. 454, 2017) |
Dillon allows domestic hens (no roosters) by annual city permit, one per household, scaling with lot size: four hens for the first 2,875 sq ft plus one per additional 1,000 sq ft, capped at ten. Chickens must be kept in a permitted predator-proof house and enclosure set back at least 20 ft from neighbors' dwellings and 5 ft from property lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Dillon?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Dillon (Dillon Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 (Ord. 454, 2017)).
How many chickens can I keep in Dillon?
Up to 10 hens. 4 hens on lots of 2,875+ sq ft, +1 per 1 sq ft above 1,000, max 10.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Dillon?
Yes — Dillon requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Dillon?
No — roosters are prohibited in Dillon.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Dillon?
20 feet minimum. Covered, predator-proof, ventilated chicken house (min 2 sq ft/chicken) plus enclosure; secured sunset to sunrise; feed in rodent/predator-proof containers. Chicken houses >=20 ft from any inhabited structure of others and >=5 ft from any property line. Annual inspection for permits of 5+ chickens.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Dillon?
Yes — 2,875 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Dillon?
Dillon Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 (Ord. 454, 2017). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Dillon Municipal Code Ch. 6.08 (Ord. 454, 2017) — read the official code
“For the first two-thousand, eight-hundred, seventy-five (2,875) square feet of any residential parcel, up to four (4) chickens are allowed; For each additional one-thousand (1000) square feet of any residential parcel, one additional hen up to a maximum of ten (10)” source
“Keeping of chickens is authorized only by permit obtained from the City of Dillon. ... Only one permit shall be issued per household.” source
“Roosters shall not be kept or maintained within the City of Dillon or as provided in Title 17 - Zoning.” source
“Chicken houses shall not be located closer than twenty (20) feet to any structure inhabited by someone other than the chicken owner, custodian, or keeper, and shall not be closer than five (5) 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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