1. Omaha, NE
You may keep backyard chickens in the City of Omaha but a permit is required to do so. You may apply to the health department for the chicken-keeping permit. Once your application is received, a health officer will inspect your premises as well as how you intend to keep the birds. The issuance of the permit is subject to certain conditions.
According to the City Code, you'll be issued a permit only if the health officer determines that your location and the keeping of chickens will not be a health hazard or nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood. As a chicken permit holder in Omaha, you must not allow your birds to be at large, except in an enclosed place on your property. Other domestic birds you can own in Omaha include turkeys, ducks, and geese.
2. Lincoln, NE
A Small Animal Permit is required to keep backyard chickens and ducks in Lincoln, Nebraska. However, you don't need a permit if you intend to keep less than 3 chickens or ducks. With a permit, you may keep a maximum of 20 chickens (no roosters) on a property of 1 acre or less. All chicken pens/coops/enclosures must be kept at least 5 feet away from all property lines and 50 feet from neighbors' houses. For more information, please refer to the Lincoln Municipal Code.
3. Bellevue, NE
The keeping of backyard chickens is legal in Bellevue Nebraska. Bellevue's Municipal Code doesn't restrict the number and type of chickens you can keep. However, it does prohibit chicken owners from allowing their feathered friends to run at large within the city. The Code also prohibits chicken owners from failing to provide their birds with adequate care, proper shelter, and protection from the weather. Furthermore, the city code makes it unlawful for chicken owners to allow unsanitary conditions to exist on any premises where chickens are kept. In essence, your chicken coop must not emit or cause foul or obnoxious odors, or attract flies.
4. Grand Island, NE
You may have backyard chickens on your residential property in Grand Island, Nebraska. As per the Grand Island Municipal Code, the number of chickens you can keep depends on the size of your property. For example, a maximum of 8 hens is allowed per residential property less than one acre in size. On a property of one acre, no more than 24 hens may be kept.
5. Norfolk, NE
A Backyard Chicken & Duck Permit is required to keep chickens or ducks in Norfolk, NE. Female chickens and ducks are permitted in residential districts A, R-R, S-R, R-1, R-2, and R-3 within the city. However, only properties consisting of detached single-family dwellings are eligible for the permit, which is issued by the Planning and Development Department.
A maximum of 4 hens or ducks or any combination of both not exceeding a total of four may be kept on any one parcel as an accessory use to the one primary single-family detached structure. The Norfolk Chicken Ordinance requires all chicken coops to be kept at least 10 feet from any property line and 20 feet from any residential structure on another person's property.
6. Hastings, NE
The City of Hastings allows chickens to be kept only on the premises of detached single-family residential dwellings. A maximum of 6 chickens (no roosters) is permitted per single-family dwelling within residential districts. The Hastings City Code requires that you keep your henhouse at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling.
7. Columbus, NE
You can legally own backyard chickens if you live in Columbus, Nebraska. The City Code allows a maximum of 5 chickens per residential property. However, you may only keep hens, as roosters are banned in the city. All chicken enclosures must be kept at least 15 feet away from any property abutting the owner’s property. In addition, the City Code requires all chicken enclosures to be kept in a sanitary condition.
8. North Platte, NE
Under certain conditions, you may keep chickens in your backyard in North Platte, Nebraska. According to the North Platte City Code, you must not keep your chicken enclosure within 25 feet of any part of any building used by another as a residence. Also, you must not permit your chickens to run at large on any of the public ways or upon the property of another.
9. South Sioux City, NE
You're required to obtain a permit from the City Council to keep backyard chickens in South Sioux City, NE. You'll be issued a permit only after the animal control unit has inspected and approved your premises. Other domestic birds you may keep with the permit include turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, and pigeons. The South Sioux City Code requires all chicken coops and pens to be regularly and thoroughly cleaned.
10. Gretna, NE
In the City of Gretna, NE, you need a permit to keep backyard chickens. The permit allows for up to 4 chickens to be kept on any lot of one acre or less. On any lot greater than one acre, a maximum of 10 chickens may be kept. The Gretna City Code requires that chicken coops and runs be kept at least 30 feet from any dwelling. Additionally, you must keep your chicken coop and run in a clean and sanitary condition, free of vermin and obnoxious smells.
