The keeping of backyard chickens is increasing in popularity in many states including Iowa. Chickens eat backyard pests and are a source of fresh eggs and entertainment. However, not every city allows property owners to have backyard chickens in residential areas. In Iowa, the laws regarding urban chicken keeping vary from one municipality to another. In one Iowa city, chickens may be allowed. In another, they may be prohibited. So, whether or not you can keep chickens in your backyard in Iowa depends on your specific location and its rules.
Then again, virtually all Homeowners' Associations don't allow chickens, even if a city allows them. If you reside within one, you might not be able to own chickens. So before acquiring your birds, it is best to check with your city or HOA to see if they are legal to keep. To give you some idea, I've listed below some Iowa Cities wherein backyard chickens are allowed.
1. Ankeny, IA
Ankeny City allows homeowners to raise and keep chickens in their backyards. However, homeowners interested in keeping chickens are required to apply for and obtain a $100 permit. Prior to applying for the permit, you're required to successfully complete the Getting Started with Backyard Chickens eCourse and obtain a certificate. Once you're issued the permit, you may keep no more than 6 chickens, excluding roosters. Chickens are allowed to be kept only in single-family homes with a lot size of at least 10,890 square feet. As per the city's website, henhouses, chicken tractors, and pens must be situated 25 feet from any property line. The permit does not allow owners to sell chickens, breed chickens, or sell eggs.
2. Des Moines, IA
Property owners in Des Moines, Iowa, are allowed to have up to 25 birds, including chickens, pigeons, pheasants, quail, ducks, and geese. However, only two species of birds are allowed per one acre of land. For example, if you own one acre of land, you can own chickens, ducks, and no other species of bird. Chickens must be maintained at all times in a pen and/or coop, according to the city code. Additionally, you must clean your chicken coop or pen every other day or more often if deemed necessary by a health officer. Furthermore, your coop or pen must be located at least 25 feet from neighboring dwellings.
3. Cedar Rapids, IA
On tracts of land located in the residential districts of Cedar Rapids, IA, the keeping of chickens is allowed. However, Cedar Rapids residents are required to obtain a permit before acquiring their chickens. According to the city's Urban Chicken Ordinance, the permit allows for the keeping of up to 6 female chickens per tract of land, regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. The Ordinance requires that chickens be kept in an enclosure or fenced area at all times. Such enclosure or fenced area must be located in the rear yard, 10 feet from the property line, and 25 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling.
4. Davenport, IA
The city of Davenport, IA has an Urban Chicken Ordinance that allows residents to have up to 6 female chickens in their backyards. The ordinance requires that residents obtain a permit before keeping chickens. It also dictates that chickens must be kept for personal use only. You must at all times keep your birds in a chicken coop or fenced area, which must be located in the rear yard. Additionally, your coop or fenced area must provide at least 4 square feet of living space per chicken and be located 10 feet from the property line, 15 feet from the principal building, and 20 feet from neighboring residences.
5. Iowa City, IA
An Urban Chicken Permit is required to have backyard chickens in Iowa City. To obtain the permit, you must submit an application on a form provided by the City. Within 30 days of submitting the application, the Police Chief will approve it if you meet the requirements. If your application is denied, the Police Chief will state the reasons in writing. The permit is valid for three years and is non-transferable, according to the city code.
6. Dubuque, IA
In the city of Dubuque, IA, you can keep/raise chickens and/or ducks on your residential property. However, you must comply with the city ordinance, which prohibits the keeping of roosters and male ducks. In addition, the ordinance dictates hens are to be kept for egg production only. Hens must be kept in an enclosure located in your backyard.
7. Urbandale, IA
In Urbandale, IA, property owners are required by law to obtain a permit before keeping chickens in their backyards. To obtain a permit, you're required to submit an application on a form provided by the Code Enforcement Officer. For your application to be approved, you must meet some requirements. For starters, your property must contain only one single-family dwelling. Additionally, you must successfully complete an approved class in raising chickens in an urban setting. You must provide a certificate of completion when applying for the permit. Furthermore, you must pay the permit fee in full and you must not owe the city any money, including but not limited to liens and fines.
8. Marion, IA
A permit is required to keep chickens and ducks in the city of Marion, IA. However, you don't need a permit if you reside within the AG Agricultural Holding Zoning District. A maximum of 6 female chickens is allowed per tract of land. Hens must be kept for noncommercial use only, according to the city code. Hens must at all times be kept in an enclosure or fenced area, which must be kept in a sanitary condition at all times.
9. Cedar Falls, IA
A land use permit and poultry license are required for having backyard chickens in Cedar Falls, IA. The license allows for the keeping of up to 10 female chickens in residential backyards. Aside from chickens, the keeping of turkey, goose, duck, quail, dove, pheasant, or pigeon is also allowed under the license. Both the land use permit and a poultry license are necessary, as per the city's Poultry Information Handout. For the keeping of hens or other domestic birds, both a chicken coop and run are required. The coop and run must be kept in a sanitary condition and be located farther than 25 feet from dwellings on adjacent properties.
10. Waukee, IA
Homeowners in the city of Waukee are allowed to raise backyard chickens for non-commercial use. However, you must secure an annual Urban Chickens permit before acquiring your birds. To obtain the permit, you must first complete an online chicken-keeping course and obtain a certificate of completion. You can then use this certificate to apply for the $25 permit. Under the permit, no more than 6 hens are allowed per one-half acre or less. Then for each additional one-half acre, an additional 6 hens are allowed, up to a maximum of of 30 hens.
Related: How many pets can you own in Iowa?
