Top 10 Cities That Allow Backyard Chickens in South Dakota

A flock of chickens in a garden

In South Dakota, many cities allow residents to engage in urban chicken farming while some do not. To find out whether you can own chickens where you live, contact your local animal control. Meanwhile, you can own chickens in the South Dakota municipalities listed below.

1. Sioux Falls, SD

In Sioux Falls, SD, you're allowed to keep up to 6 chickens on your property without a permit. If you wish to exceed this limit, you're required to obtain a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor. In addition, you must obtain written approval from all property owners next to yours before acquiring the additional chickens. Per the City's Urban Livestock page, you may not keep male chickens within city limits.

2. Rapid City, SD

Subject to certain terms and conditions, backyard chickens are permitted on any lot used and occupied as a single-family residence within Rapid City, SD. The City's chicken-keeping ordinance prohibits the keeping of chickens on lots used and occupied as a multi-family residence. The number of chickens you may keep on a single-family residential lot is limited to 6. You're allowed to keep only hens, as the keeping and raising of roosters is prohibited in the City. You're required to provide your laying hens with an appropriate coop. Such coop should provide at least 2 square feet of space per bird and be located at least 25 feet from any dwelling unit.

3. Aberdeen, SD

The City of Aberdeen has a Chicken Ordinance, permitting the keeping of hens for egg and meat sources. According to the ordinance, hens may only be kept in areas of the city zoned to permit single-family dwellings. On a residential lot of 22,500 square feet or less, you may keep up to 8 hens.

4. Brookings, SD

The keeping of up to 6 female chickens is allowed per residence in Brookings, SD. Before getting the hens, you're required to make an application to an authorized agent of the city for a license to keep hens.

5. Vermillion, SD

The keeping of female chickens for egg and meat sources is permitted in Vermillion, SD. By ordinance, hens are only permitted as an accessory use in conjunction with detached, owner-occupied single-family dwelling lots. On a single-family dwelling lot, a maximum of 3 hens may be kept without a permit. To exceed this limit, you must first apply for and obtain a multiple-chicken permit from the city's Animal Control Officer.

As a multiple-chicken permit holder, you may keep no more than 5 hens within the City of Vermillion. You may slaughter hens for personal consumption on your property. However, you must do so in areas not visible from the public right-of-way. Your henhouse may be located in the rear or side yard, 5 feet from the rear or side property lines, and not be closer than 25 feet to any dwelling other than yours.

6. Brandon, SD

In Brandon, SD, the keeping of backyard chickens is only allowed on single-family dwelling lots. You may house no more than 6 hens on a single-family residential lot. In addition, you may keep up to 6 brooding chicks for the cyclical replacement of hens, but not for commercial purposes. However, you're required to apply for and obtain a permit before getting the chickens.

Rooster and chicken breeding are not permitted and cockerels must be culled from broods when identified. You may place your henhouse in the rear or side yard and 5 feet from the rear and side property lines. The setback required for the coop from any neighboring dwelling is 25 feet.

7. Harrisburg, SD

In Harrisburg, SD, you may own chickens but not without first obtaining the approval of the City Planning Commission. Upon the approval of the keeping of chickens on your premises, the City Council may adopt criteria for and impose conditions, according to Harrisburg Codified Ordinances.

8. Sturgis, SD

By ordinance, all chicken keepers in the City of Sturgis, SD, are required to register with the Sturgis Animal Control Officer the location of where the chickens are kept. You're allowed to keep no more than 6 chickens, all of which must be females. To prevent your hens from flying, you must have their wings clipped appropriately.

9. Madison, SD

In Madison, SD, the keeping of female chickens as well as ducks is permitted only in areas zoned single-family residential. On a single-family residential lot, you may keep up to 6 female chickens or ducks. The City Code prohibits roosters, drakes, chicken breeding, and duck breeding. Chicken and duck enclosures may be located in the rear or side yard and 20 feet from any dwelling other than yours.

10. Hot Springs, SD

You may keep chickens as an accessory use in the city of Hot Springs, SD. The number of chickens you may keep in your backyard coop is restricted to 6. By ordinance, you're required to register your chickens with the city's Animal Control Officer within 10 days of obtaining such chickens. Then every two years, you must re-register your chickens with the Animal Control Officer.

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