Can I keep chickens in Santa Fe, NM?
Yes — Santa Fe allows backyard chickens with no permit required. (Santa Fe City Code Ch. 14 (Land Development), Sec. 14-6.2(H) Agricultural Uses (Ord. 2016-41); Ch. V (Animal Services), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Noncommercial agricultural uses (including backyard poultry) are permitted as an accessory use in all zoning districts, provided they do not create a public nuisance (subject to Sec. 10-9 SFCC Nuisance Abatement) and comply with all other city codes and any applicable HOA covenants. Commercial animal production and slaughtering of livestock are prohibited. |
| Code section | Santa Fe City Code Ch. 14 (Land Development), Sec. 14-6.2(H) Agricultural Uses (Ord. 2016-41); Ch. V (Animal Services) |
The City of Santa Fe land-use code (Sec. 14-6.2(H), Ord. 2016-41) permits noncommercial agricultural uses - including backyard chickens - as an accessory use in ALL zoning districts, with no numeric flock cap and no permit, subject only to the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance and HOA restrictions. Commercial animal production and slaughtering of livestock are specifically prohibited. The widely repeated aggregator claim of '4 hens with a permit' is NOT supported by the live city code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Santa Fe?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Santa Fe (Santa Fe City Code Ch. 14 (Land Development), Sec. 14-6.2(H) Agricultural Uses (Ord. 2016-41); Ch. V (Animal Services)).
How many chickens can I keep in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Santa Fe?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Santa Fe.
What law covers backyard chickens in Santa Fe?
Santa Fe City Code Ch. 14 (Land Development), Sec. 14-6.2(H) Agricultural Uses (Ord. 2016-41); Ch. V (Animal Services). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Santa Fe City Code Ch. 14 (Land Development), Sec. 14-6.2(H) Agricultural Uses (Ord. 2016-41); Ch. V (Animal Services) — read the official code
“Agricultural uses for noncommercial purposes that are accessory uses to a permitted principal use are permitted in all zoning districts but shall not create a public nuisance, subject to Subsection 10-9 SFCC 1987, Nuisance Abatement Ordinance, and shall meet all other applicable city codes.” source
“the following commercial agricultural uses are specifically prohibited: (a) animal production; (b) slaughterhouses and slaughtering of livestock” 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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