Can I keep chickens in Farmington, NM?
Yes, with conditions — Farmington allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Farmington Municipal Code § 10-6-29 (Chickens on Urban Residential Lots); § 6-4-2 (lots >= 2.5 ac), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Administrative permit required (renew every 2 yrs); max 4 hens; coop/run not in front/side yards; setback >= 25 ft from adjacent dwellings and >= 10 ft from all property lines; screened by 4-ft fence/buffer; coop 10 sq ft/bird & <=8 ft tall, run 20 sq ft/bird; coop elevated 12-36 in; rodent-proof feed storage. |
| Code section | Farmington Municipal Code § 10-6-29 (Chickens on Urban Residential Lots); § 6-4-2 (lots >= 2.5 ac) |
Farmington allows a maximum of 4 hen chickens on single-family residential lots under 2.5 acres, but only with an administrative permit (renewable every two years) and detailed coop, setback, and screening standards. Roosters, cockfighting, and slaughter on residentially zoned property are all prohibited, and eggs may only be for personal use. Larger lots (>=2.5 acres) are governed by § 6-4-2 instead.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Farmington?
Yes, with conditions — Farmington allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Farmington Municipal Code § 10-6-29 (Chickens on Urban Residential Lots); § 6-4-2 (lots >= 2.5 ac)).
How many chickens can I keep in Farmington?
Up to 4 hens. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Farmington?
Yes — Farmington requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Farmington?
No — roosters are prohibited in Farmington.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Farmington?
10 feet minimum. Administrative permit required (renew every 2 yrs); max 4 hens; coop/run not in front/side yards; setback >= 25 ft from adjacent dwellings and >= 10 ft from all property lines; screened by 4-ft fence/buffer; coop 10 sq ft/bird & <=8 ft tall, run 20 sq ft/bird; coop elevated 12-36 in; rodent-proof feed storage.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Farmington?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Farmington's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Farmington?
Farmington Municipal Code § 10-6-29 (Chickens on Urban Residential Lots); § 6-4-2 (lots >= 2.5 ac). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Farmington Municipal Code § 10-6-29 (Chickens on Urban Residential Lots); § 6-4-2 (lots >= 2.5 ac) — read the official code
“All chicken coops must have a maximum size of ten (10) square feet per chicken and must not exceed eight feet (8') in total height. Fenced in chicken runs must not exceed twenty (20) square feet per chicken and fencing must not exceed six feet (6') in total height.” source
“No person shall keep on any single-family residential property more than four (4) total hen chickens.” source
“An administrative permit shall be required for the keeping of any hen chickens upon a property less than two and one-half (2 1/2) acres in size and developed with a single-family dwelling within a residential zoning district.” source
“No person shall keep roosters, or adult male chickens, on any residentially zoned property less than two and one-half (2 1/2) acres in size.” 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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