Can I keep chickens in Clovis, NM?
Yes, with conditions — Clovis allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 25 hens where permitted). Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Clovis Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 (Livestock and Poultry), Secs. 6.16.060, 6.16.070, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 25 |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Poultry may not be kept within 100 ft of any residence or business establishment other than the keeper's own. Max 25 poultry (and one head of livestock). Processing for sale barred except as provided. Adequate, sanitary, secure pens/shelters required; poultry may not run or fly at large. On 2+ acre sparsely settled tracts, 25 poultry per acre allowed but still 200 ft from others' residences. |
| Code section | Clovis Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 (Livestock and Poultry), Secs. 6.16.060, 6.16.070 |
Clovis permits up to 25 poultry, but they cannot be kept within 100 ft of any residence/business other than the keeper's own, making it effectively prohibitive on typical residential lots. No permit; processing for sale is barred. A 2023 proposal for backyard hens on small lots was rejected, so the 100-ft rule still governs.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Clovis?
Yes, with conditions — Clovis allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Clovis Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 (Livestock and Poultry), Secs. 6.16.060, 6.16.070).
How many chickens can I keep in Clovis?
Up to 25 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Clovis?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Clovis.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Clovis?
100 feet minimum. Poultry may not be kept within 100 ft of any residence or business establishment other than the keeper's own. Max 25 poultry (and one head of livestock). Processing for sale barred except as provided. Adequate, sanitary, secure pens/shelters required; poultry may not run or fly at large. On 2+ acre sparsely settled tracts, 25 poultry per acre allowed but still 200 ft from others' residences.
What law covers backyard chickens in Clovis?
Clovis Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 (Livestock and Poultry), Secs. 6.16.060, 6.16.070. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Clovis Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 (Livestock and Poultry), Secs. 6.16.060, 6.16.070 — read the official code
“6.16.070 - Number permitted. In the area of the city to which this chapter applies, no person shall keep more than one head of livestock and no person shall keep poultry in excess of twenty-five, nor shall any animals or poultry be processed for the purpose of sale except as provided in this chapter.” source
“6.16.060 - Poultry location restrictions. No person shall keep poultry within one hundred feet of any residence or business establishment, except the residence or business establishment of the person owning or controlling the poultry.” 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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