Furthermore, your municipality may require that you obtain a permit before keeping backyard chickens. But first of all, you need to be sure whether chickens are allowed where you live. To find out, you may contact your local animal control or your city clerk's office. Meanwhile, here are ten Minnesota cities that allow backyard chickens.
1. Minneapolis, MN
The city of Minneapolis allows residents to keep chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigeons, and quail with a fowl permit. But until your permit is approved, you're not allowed to purchase any birds, according to the city's website. The application process includes attending an approved fowl education course, showing proof of consent from your neighbors, and providing a copy of zoning approval from the City's Community Planning & Economic Development department.
An animal control officer will inspect your home to ensure the chickens are being kept in safe and livable conditions. The number of chickens you can keep in your backyard depends on the type of permit you apply for. For example, a $30 permit allows you to keep no more than 6 chickens. The keeping of 7 to 15 chickens requires a $55 permit. An $80 permit is required for the keeping of 16–30 chickens. And then there is a $105 permit for the keeping of roosters.
2. St. Paul, MN
A permit is required to have backyard chickens in the city of St. Paul, MN. The permit allows you to keep only female chickens, as roosters are not allowed in the city. The city offers 2 types of permits: Tier 1 and Tier 2. The Tier 1 permit allows you to keep a maximum of 6 female chickens. On the other hand, the Tier 2 permit allows you to keep no more than 15 female chickens, according to the St. Paul Animal Code. For more information, contact the St. Paul Animal Control office or visit their website.
3. Rochester, MN
The city of Rochester's municipal code allows residents to keep chickens and ducks in their backyards with a permit. This permit, which is subject to terms and conditions, allows you to keep no more than 3 female chickens or 3 ducks on your premises. All chicken coops and runs must be kept clean and situated at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling. Additionally, all chicken coops must not exceed ten square feet per chicken and all attached fenced-in chicken runs must not exceed 20 square feet per chicken.
4. Duluth, MN
Backyard chickens are allowed in Duluth, MN, but you must obtain a license before acquiring the birds. One license is allowed per one- or two-family dwelling. A license issued to a two-family dwelling requires written permission from the residents of both dwelling units. Each person holding a license to keep chickens within the city of Duluth must keep no more than 7 chickens, all of which must be hens. You must not slaughter any chickens within the city of Duluth, according to the City Code.
5. Bloomington, MN
You may keep no more than 4 hens on any single- or two-family residential property within the city of Bloomington, MN. Unfortunately, chickens are not permitted on properties with 3 or more dwelling units in the city. On residentially used or zoned properties within the city, the slaughtering of chickens is not allowed. Also on residential properties, the keeping of chickens for breeding purposes is not permitted. The city code requires that chicken enclosures be located at least 30 feet from any property lot line and 50 feet from any dwelling on an abutting parcel.
6. Plymouth, MN
You must not keep chickens in your backyard within the City of Plymouth without first obtaining a chicken license. Backyard chickens are allowed in the RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-3, and single-family detached PUD zoning districts. In these zoning districts, a license for the keeping of chickens must be renewed every two years, according to the Plymouth Zoning Code. Also in these zoning districts, you must not keep more than six female chickens. Roosters aren't allowed in these zoning districts. Chickens are required to be kept in a coop attached to a run. These structures must be located in the rear yard and at least 20 feet from any property line.
7. Blaine, MN
In Blaine, Minnesota, backyard chickens are permitted as an accessory use in the RE, R-1, R-1AA, R-1A, and R-1B zoning districts. A $45 Chicken Permit is required to keep chickens in these zoning districts. Not more than 6 chickens, excluding roosters, are allowed per backyard. Chicken coops must be located at least 5 feet from the side or rear lot lines and 30 feet from an adjacent home.
8. Maple Grove, MN
The keeping of chickens is permitted in the R-A and R-1 zoning districts within the city of Maple Grove, MN. In the R-1 zoning district, up to 25 chickens are allowed per acre. In the R-1 district, 6 chickens may be kept on a property of one acre but less than 1.5 acres. On a property of 1.5 acres, but less than two acres, a maximum of 25 chickens is allowed in the R-1 district. The city code requires that you have a suitable fencing system in place to confine the chickens to your property.
9. Eagan, MN
A permit is required to keep backyard chickens in the City of Eagan, Minnesota. You must reside on the premises where you intend to keep the chickens, as required by the city code. As a chicken permit holder, you must make your premises available for inspection by the animal control officer at all reasonable times. A chicken coop and run are required and no more than 5 hens are allowed per permit holder. On any property zoned for residential use, the slaughtering of chickens and selling of eggs is prohibited.
10. Burnsville, MN
Under certain conditions, chickens are allowed in all zoning districts within the city of Burnsville, Minnesota. However, they must at all times be kept in a chicken coop or run, which must be consistent with building and zoning codes. Chicken coops and runs must be located only in the backyard, according to the Burnsville Municipal Code. In addition, chicken coops and runs must be located at least 5 feet from any neighboring residence and 10 feet from the property line.
