Can I keep chickens in Norfolk, NE?
Yes, with conditions — Norfolk allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 40 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Norfolk City Code ch. 27, s 27-295, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 40 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Hens/bantams/ducks allowed only on a detached single-family property in districts A, R-R, S-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, with a city permit (fee per s 2-5) obtained before acquiring birds and written approval of ~75% of nearby property owners. Max 4 birds; rear-yard covered predator-proof coop; coop >=10 ft from property lines and >=40 ft from a neighbor's residence; no roosters/crowing hens; no slaughter in public view. |
| Code section | Norfolk City Code ch. 27, s 27-295 |
Norfolk allows up to four hens, bantams or ducks on detached single-family lots in most residential districts, but only with a city permit obtained before acquiring the birds and written approval from about 75% of nearby property owners. Roosters and crowing hens are banned, coops must be 10 ft from property lines and 40 ft from a neighbor's home, and slaughtering in public view is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Norfolk?
Yes, with conditions — Norfolk allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Norfolk City Code ch. 27, s 27-295).
How many chickens can I keep in Norfolk?
Up to 4 hens. 4 birds max; allowed only at detached single-family use in districts A/R-R/S-R/R-1/R-2/R-3 and requires a permit plus ~75% neighbor approval.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Norfolk?
Yes — Norfolk requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Norfolk?
No — roosters are prohibited in Norfolk.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Norfolk?
40 feet minimum. Hens/bantams/ducks allowed only on a detached single-family property in districts A, R-R, S-R, R-1, R-2, R-3, with a city permit (fee per s 2-5) obtained before acquiring birds and written approval of ~75% of nearby property owners. Max 4 birds; rear-yard covered predator-proof coop; coop >=10 ft from property lines and >=40 ft from a neighbor's residence; no roosters/crowing hens; no slaughter in public view.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Norfolk?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Norfolk's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Norfolk?
Norfolk City Code ch. 27, s 27-295. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Norfolk City Code ch. 27, s 27-295 — read the official code
“No more than a total of four (4) chickens (hens, bantam hens, ducks or any combination of such animals) may be kept on any one (1) parcel ...” source
“Any person who keeps hens, bantam hens or ducks shall obtain a permit from the city through its Planning and Development Department, prior to acquiring the hens, bantams, or ducks.” source
“No person shall keep roosters or any hens which have developed the rooster-like quality of crowing or making crowing-like sounds” source
“No chicken enclosure or coop shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any property line ... closer than forty (40) feet to any residential structure on another person's property.” 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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