Can I keep chickens in Silver City, NM?
Yes — Silver City allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Silver City Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-6 (Keeping of livestock, fowl and game birds restricted), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Predator-proof enclosure of no less than 4 sq ft per chicken, containing a coop for roosting; enclosure must be >=20 ft from any neighboring property line (including Town right-of-way); backyard only (not side or front yard); adequate screening so the enclosure is not visible to adjoining owners; clean feed/water; must conform to the Land Use Code. |
| Code section | Silver City Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-6 (Keeping of livestock, fowl and game birds restricted) |
Keeping fowl/game birds is generally prohibited within town limits, except that Sec. 6-6 expressly allows up to six female chickens by permit, no roosters, for household/non-commercial use. Required: predator-proof coop >=4 sq ft per bird, 20-ft setback from any property line, backyard placement only, visual screening, and conformance with the Land Use Code. Roosters and swine are flatly prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Silver City?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Silver City (Silver City Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-6 (Keeping of livestock, fowl and game birds restricted)).
How many chickens can I keep in Silver City?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Silver City?
Yes — Silver City requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Silver City?
No — roosters are prohibited in Silver City.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Silver City?
20 feet minimum. Predator-proof enclosure of no less than 4 sq ft per chicken, containing a coop for roosting; enclosure must be >=20 ft from any neighboring property line (including Town right-of-way); backyard only (not side or front yard); adequate screening so the enclosure is not visible to adjoining owners; clean feed/water; must conform to the Land Use Code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Silver City?
Silver City Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-6 (Keeping of livestock, fowl and game birds restricted). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Silver City Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-6 (Keeping of livestock, fowl and game birds restricted) — read the official code
“Chickens shall be kept in a predator-proof enclosure which shall be no less than four square feet per chicken and designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained by the owners. The enclosure must contain a 'chicken house' or coop” source
“the keeping of chickens, which shall be allowed by permit, subject to the following conditions: a. A household be permitted to keep up to six female chickens within the corporate limits of the town” source
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the keeping of swine of any description and roosters shall not be permitted within the corporate limits of the town.” source
“No outdoor chicken enclosure shall be located closer than 20 feet to any neighboring property line, including Town of Silver City right-of-way” 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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