Can I keep chickens in Lakewood?
Yes — Lakewood 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. (§ 505.18(e) Certain Animals Prohibited (hen exception), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($25) |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop and run base surface max 80 sq ft, max 6 ft height; at least 3 sq ft per hen; covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated; at least 3 ft from side/rear property lines and 20 ft behind rearmost wall of principal structure; kept clean, dry, rodent-free; feed in rodent-proof containers; hens outside enclosure only in fenced rear yard under direct supervision. |
| Code section | § 505.18(e) Certain Animals Prohibited (hen exception) |
Lakewood allows up to 6 hens only in R1/R2 residential zones with triannual permit ($25). Coops limited to 80 sq ft. Non-transferable permits capped at 50 city-wide.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Lakewood?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Lakewood (§ 505.18(e) Certain Animals Prohibited (hen exception)).
How many chickens can I keep in Lakewood?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Lakewood?
Yes — Lakewood requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $25).
Are roosters allowed in Lakewood?
No — roosters are prohibited in Lakewood.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Lakewood?
20 feet minimum. Coop and run base surface max 80 sq ft, max 6 ft height; at least 3 sq ft per hen; covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated; at least 3 ft from side/rear property lines and 20 ft behind rearmost wall of principal structure; kept clean, dry, rodent-free; feed in rodent-proof containers; hens outside enclosure only in fenced rear yard under direct supervision.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Lakewood?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Lakewood's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Lakewood?
§ 505.18(e) Certain Animals Prohibited (hen exception). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
§ 505.18(e) Certain Animals Prohibited (hen exception) — read the official code
“Hens may be kept only in an R1 Residential Single-Family or R2 Residential Single- and Two-Family District. ... a triannual permit shall have first been obtained from the Director of Public Safety. The permit application must be accompanied by a $25.00 fee ... No more than six hens shall be allowed on any lot. ... at no time shall the total number of permits issued in the City exceed 50.” source
Last verified July 4, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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