Can I keep chickens in Grand Island, NE?
Yes — Grand Island allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Grand Island City Code ch. 5, art. 5-IV, s 5-18(C) (number of hens) and art. 5-VI, s 5-41.1 (roosters); am. Ord. 9934 (7-12-2023), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Chicken hens: maximum 8 with a minimum of 3 on lots under one acre, and up to 24 per acre. Roosters and crowing hens are prohibited citywide (limited commercial/educational exceptions). Coop/enclosure must be registered; setback rules apply (coop approx. 10 ft from property lines and 20 ft from a neighbor's residence). |
| Code section | Grand Island City Code ch. 5, art. 5-IV, s 5-18(C) (number of hens) and art. 5-VI, s 5-41.1 (roosters); am. Ord. 9934 (7-12-2023) |
Grand Island allows backyard hens: up to 8 on a residential lot (minimum 3 on lots under one acre) and up to 24 per acre. Roosters and crowing hens are banned citywide except for limited commercial and educational uses. Enclosures must be registered and meet setback requirements.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Grand Island?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Grand Island (Grand Island City Code ch. 5, art. 5-IV, s 5-18(C) (number of hens) and art. 5-VI, s 5-41.1 (roosters); am. Ord. 9934 (7-12-2023)).
How many chickens can I keep in Grand Island?
Up to 8 hens. Tiered by lot size: 8 up to 43,560 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Grand Island?
Yes — Grand Island requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Grand Island?
No — roosters are prohibited in Grand Island.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Grand Island?
20 feet minimum. Chicken hens: maximum 8 with a minimum of 3 on lots under one acre, and up to 24 per acre. Roosters and crowing hens are prohibited citywide (limited commercial/educational exceptions). Coop/enclosure must be registered; setback rules apply (coop approx. 10 ft from property lines and 20 ft from a neighbor's residence).
What law covers backyard chickens in Grand Island?
Grand Island City Code ch. 5, art. 5-IV, s 5-18(C) (number of hens) and art. 5-VI, s 5-41.1 (roosters); am. Ord. 9934 (7-12-2023). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Grand Island City Code ch. 5, art. 5-IV, s 5-18(C) (number of hens) and art. 5-VI, s 5-41.1 (roosters); am. Ord. 9934 (7-12-2023) — read the official code
“No person shall keep or maintain on his or her residential property chicken hens in a number that exceeds eight (8), with no less than three (3) on any lot of less than one (1) acre in size. No person shall keep or maintain on his or her residential property chicken hens in a number that exceeds twenty-four (24) chicken hens per one (1) acre” source
“No person shall keep or maintain roosters or hens that crow on his or her property within the city, except for commercial retail establishments who offer live fowl or chickens for retail sale, and governmental and/or non-profit educational facilities.” 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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