However, due to noise and health concerns, backyard chickens are restricted in urban areas. In New Mexico, many cities allow chickens while some do not. That's why it's important to check with your municipality before acquiring chickens. You may contact your local animal control or municipal clerk to determine whether backyard chickens are permitted in your area. Meanwhile, here are ten New Mexico cities where you can keep chickens on your residential property.
1. Albuquerque, NM
You can have backyard chickens if you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The city's municipal code allows as many as 15 chickens, including one rooster, per household. You must not permit your feathered friends to run at large. Most importantly, you must keep your chickens in such a manner as to not disturb the peace of your neighbors.
2. Las Cruces, NM
You may raise chickens in your residential backyard in Las Cruces, NM, provided you obtain a special permit. Per the City's ordinance, for any property not zoned for the keeping of livestock, a special permit is required to keep chickens or ducks. The ordinance states that you must not keep more than 6 chickens or ducks if your property is not zoned for the keeping of livestock. Furthermore, you must not keep roosters if your property is not zoned for the keeping of livestock. You may contact your zoning department to determine whether your property is zoned for the keeping of livestock.
3. Rio Rancho, NM
In Rio Rancho, NM, a lot of at least one-half acre is required to keep chickens in E-1: Estate Residential and R-1: Single-Family zone districts. In these districts, you may own no more than 7 hens and immature roosters. Per City Ordinances, the keeping of a rooster mature enough to crow or otherwise disturb the peace is prohibited in the city. Chickens must be kept in an enclosure so secure as to protect them from predators. All chicken enclosures are required to be kept 15 feet away from any property line.
4. Santa Fe, NM
The City of Santa Fe's municipal code does not currently restrict the keeping of backyard chickens. Though you might want to avoid keeping roosters due to noise concerns. Besides, you do not necessarily need a rooster for your hens to lay eggs. You only need a rooster if you want fertilized eggs or plan to breed chickens. Although Santa Fe has no current restrictions, its municipal code makes it unlawful for you to confine any chickens unless you make provisions for the proper feeding and the furnishing of water to them at intervals not longer than 12 hours.
5. Roswell, NM
The Roswell City Code allows chickens and other domestic birds to be kept in all zoning districts. Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and pigeons may only be kept for personal use. No more than 4 female chickens, turkeys, or ducks may be kept on any lot within the city. On lots of at least 0.4 acres but less than one acre, up to 10 female chickens, turkeys, or ducks may be kept. On lots of one acre or greater, a maximum of 20 female chickens, turkeys, or ducks may be kept. The city code prohibits the keeping of roosters that are mature enough to crow.
6. Hobbs, NM
In Hobbs, NM, a permit is required if you keep more than one chicken. The minimum size lot or parcel to keep backyard chickens is 0.5 acres. The minimum yard area for chickens is required to be 10,000 square feet. The Maximum number of chickens per every 10,000 square feet of yard area is 40 (for free-range chickens) and 20 (for isolated chickens). The City Code requires all premises upon which chickens are allowed to be kept to be maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition at all times.
7. Clovis, NM
If you reside in Clovis, NM, you're allowed to keep as many as 25 chickens in your residential backyard. However, the city's Livestock and Poultry Ordinance requires that you keep your feathered friends more than 100 feet away from any residence or business establishment. The keeping of chickens for the purpose of sale isn't allowed, except for commercial establishments.
8. Carlsbad, NM
In Carlsbad, NM, a maximum of 3 chickens are allowed to be kept in the R-1 Residential District. Only female chickens are allowed for egg laying but not for butchering. The Carlsbad Zoning Code requires all hens to be housed in proper coops and not be allowed to roam freely outside of the property. But prior to acquiring the birds, you need to obtain a conditional use permit. If you reside in the the Rural Residence District, however, you don't need a permit to keep chickens. A maximum of 24 chickens is allowed per property in the Rural Residence District.
9. Alamogordo, NM
The City of Alamogordo allows residents to have a limited number of backyard chickens or ducks. According to the city's municipal code, you may keep 4 female chickens or 4 ducks or a combination of both not exceeding 4 in total. You must not permit your hens or ducks to run at large in the city.
10. Gallup, NM
In Gallup, NM, a maximum of 4 backyard chickens is allowed per lot in the RR and SFR Zoning Districts. The city's chicken ordinance prohibits the keeping of roosters. You may keep no more than 4 hens as pets or for egg production. Your henhouse is required to be kept at least 5 feet from any side or rear property line and 10 feet from any other structure. As a backyard chicken owner in Gallup, NM, you're required to obtain a permit from the Animal Control Division.
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