Can I keep chickens in Great Falls, MT?
Yes, with conditions — Great Falls allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. (Great Falls City Code Title 6 (livestock) and Title 17 (R-1 zoning), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Coop rules | No dedicated urban-chicken standards; chickens (as livestock) permitted only within the R-1 zoning district. |
| Code section | Great Falls City Code Title 6 (livestock) and Title 17 (R-1 zoning) |
Great Falls classifies chickens as livestock, and keeping livestock within city limits is unlawful except within the R-1 zoning district. There is no general backyard-hen ordinance; proposals failed in 2011 and 2017. Whether chickens are allowed depends entirely on whether a property is zoned R-1.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Great Falls?
Yes, with conditions — Great Falls allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Great Falls City Code Title 6 (livestock) and Title 17 (R-1 zoning)).
How many chickens can I keep in Great Falls?
It depends on your lot. Allowed only on R-1-zoned properties; prohibited as livestock in all other zones. No hen-count limit specified.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
What law covers backyard chickens in Great Falls?
Great Falls City Code Title 6 (livestock) and Title 17 (R-1 zoning). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Great Falls City Code Title 6 (livestock) and Title 17 (R-1 zoning) — read the official code
“Chickens (and other fowl) are defined in Title 6 of the City's code as livestock. Code states that it is unlawful for a person to keep, harbor, or maintain livestock within the corporate limits at any time, except within the R-1 zoning district, as defined in Title 17.” 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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