Can I keep chickens in Cincinnati?
Yes — Cincinnati allows backyard chickens, up to 24 hens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 24 |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Lot-size dependent: <10,000 SF = max 6 chickens; 10,000-20,000 SF = max 10 chickens; 20,000-40,000 SF = max 14 chickens. Animals must be kept in enclosure at all times with minimum 4 sq ft floor area per animal. Roosters prohibited. Slaughtering prohibited. |
| Code section | Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping) |
Cincinnati permits chickens under Zoning Code Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture), ordained 2019 and amended 2021: 6 hens on lots under 10,000 sqft, 12 on 10,000-20,000 sqft, up to 24 on lots over 20,000 sqft. 1 rooster allowed per 15 hens (tethered if more than 1), kept 50ft from all property lines. Coops/shelters require a 10ft setback from all property lines. No permit required. On-site slaughter for personal consumption is not addressed by this chapter; commercial slaughtering is regulated separately as an industrial zoning use.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Cincinnati?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Cincinnati (Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping)).
How many chickens can I keep in Cincinnati?
Up to 24 hens. Tiered by lot size: 6 up to 10,000 sq ft; 12 up to 20,000 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cincinnati?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Cincinnati.
Are roosters allowed in Cincinnati?
Yes, with conditions — see Cincinnati's rules (Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Cincinnati?
10 feet minimum. Lot-size dependent: <10,000 SF = max 6 chickens; 10,000-20,000 SF = max 10 chickens; 20,000-40,000 SF = max 14 chickens. Animals must be kept in enclosure at all times with minimum 4 sq ft floor area per animal. Roosters prohibited. Slaughtering prohibited.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Cincinnati?
Yes — 10,000 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Cincinnati?
Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Sec 1422-05, Chapter 1422 (Urban Agriculture: Horticulture and Animal Keeping) — read the official code
“6 permitted for lots less than 10,000 square feet. 12 permitted for 10,000 to 20,000 square foot lots. A maximum of 24 permitted for lots exceeding 20,000 square feet.” source
“1 rooster permitted per every 15 hens...Roosters must be kept a minimum of 50 feet from all property lines.” source
Last verified July 5, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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