Can I keep chickens in Columbus, NE?
Yes — Columbus allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens. Roosters are prohibited. (Columbus City Code ch. 90 (Animals), ss 90.040(C) and 90.046, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop rules | No residential property may have more than five rabbits or fowl at any one time. Roosters are banned citywide (with limited 4-H/FFA and commercial exceptions). The aggregator claim of '15 hens' refers to the separate cap on caged birds, not fowl. |
| Code section | Columbus City Code ch. 90 (Animals), ss 90.040(C) and 90.046 |
Columbus allows up to five fowl per residential property and bans roosters citywide (with narrow 4-H/FFA and commercial exceptions). A widely repeated '15 hens' figure is wrong - that limit applies to caged birds, while the binding rule caps fowl at five.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Columbus?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Columbus (Columbus City Code ch. 90 (Animals), ss 90.040(C) and 90.046).
How many chickens can I keep in Columbus?
Up to 5 hens.
Are roosters allowed in Columbus?
No — roosters are prohibited in Columbus.
What law covers backyard chickens in Columbus?
Columbus City Code ch. 90 (Animals), ss 90.040(C) and 90.046. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Columbus City Code ch. 90 (Animals), ss 90.040(C) and 90.046 — read the official code
“No residential property shall have more than five rabbits or fowl at any one time.” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to own, keep, harbor or maintain any rooster within the corporate limits of the city. The unlawful owning, keeping, maintaining or harboring of roosters is declared to be a public nuisance.” 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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