In cities where chickens are allowed, there are regulations in place to ensure the keeping of chickens does not constitute a nuisance. Some Missouri cities require residents to obtain a Backyard Chicken Permit prior to acquiring the birds. Most cities prohibit roosters and allow hens to be kept for non-commercial use only. Learning about your municipality's chicken-keeping rules is an important part of being a responsible chicken owner. Here are ten Missouri cities that allow residents to keep a limited number of chickens in their backyards.
1. Kansas City, MO
Subject to certain regulations, the keeping of backyard chickens is permitted within Kansas City, Missouri. According to the Kansas City Code, you must not keep your chicken enclosure closer than 100 feet to the nearest portion of any residence or dwelling other than your dwelling. Every coop must be kept in such a manner as to prevent offensive odors from arising therefrom to the annoyance of any neighbor. Each backyard is limited to 15 chickens or other domestic birds four months of age or older. Crowing roosters must not be kept within 300 feet of any neighboring residence or dwelling.
2. St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Ordinance 70608 permits residents to raise chickens in their backyards. The maximum number of chickens allowed per parcel without a permit is 8. As per the Ordinance, one chicken is allowed per every 4 square feet of indoor enclosure space and 10 square feet of every outdoor enclosure space, up to a maximum of 8 chickens. To exceed this limit, you must own at least 20,000 square feet of contiguous land and obtain a small animal permit from the Health Commissioner. Your chicken coop must not be closer than 1.5 feet from any property line. It also must not be closer than 10 feet from all residential dwellings on adjacent parcels, according to the City Code.
3. Springfield, MO
You can legally keep chickens, guineafowls, geese, ducks, and turkeys in your backyard in Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield Municipal Code allows no more than 6 chickens per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. The Code allows only female chickens and requires that hens be kept for non-commercial purposes. You may slaughter chickens for personal use but you must do so in a sanitary manner and away from prying eyes.
4. Columbia, MO
The City of Columbia, MO allows residents to keep backyard chickens for non-commercial use only. Each tract of land, regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract, is limited to 6 chickens. The Columbia Animal Ordinance allows only female chickens to be kept. The ordinance requires chickens to at all times be kept in an enclosure or fenced area. Such enclosures must only be located to the rear of the dwelling and at least 10 feet from the property line, In addition, the ordinance requires that chicken enclosures be located at least 25 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling.
5. Independence, MO
The City of Independence, MO, allows you to have backyard chickens as pets or for egg production. As per the City Code, the number of chickens you can have depends on how far away your chicken enclosure is from other residences. For example, you may have up to six chickens (no roosters) for personal use only if you keep your chicken enclosure 50 feet from other residences.
If your enclosure is located 100 feet from other residences, you may have up to 20 chickens (no roosters) for non-commercial purposes only. You may keep more than 20 chickens (no roosters) for any purpose if your enclosure is situated 200 feet from other residences. Except in zoning district R-A, the outdoor slaughtering of chickens is prohibited in Independence, Missouri.
6. Lee's Summit, MO
The City of Lee's Summit allows you to keep a maximum of 6 chickens (no roosters) in your backyard for personal use only. The City Code requires that you at all times keep your feathered friends in a clean, dry, odor-free enclosure. You're also required to place such an enclosure 10 feet from the property line and at least 40 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling.
7. St. Charles, MO
Backyard chickens, geese, ducks, or turkeys may be kept for personal use in all zoning districts within the City of St. Charles, MO. Only female chickens may be kept on residential property, according to the City Code. On a residential lot of 7,000 square feet or less, no more than 8 hens may be kept. For every additional 2,000 square feet of lot area, one additional hen is permitted, up to a maximum of 12 hens. Your chicken coop or run may be located 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from any residence other than your residence.
8. St. Joseph, MO
Backyard chickens are allowed under certain conditions in St. Joseph, Missouri. According to Chapter 5 of the City Code, it's unlawful for you to keep your chicken enclosure within 100 feet of any building occupied by human inhabitants. Furthermore, you must keep your chicken enclosure so clean as to not create an offensive odor to the annoyance of any inhabitant of the neighborhood.
9. Joplin, MO
According to the City of Joplin Animal Control, you may keep chickens at your residence without a permit. However, you're only allowed to keep hens, as the city does not allow the keeping of roosters. Before you acquire your birds, you're required to contact the Joplin Health Department at 417-623-6122 to have an ACO inspect your property. This is to ensure that your property meets all the chicken-keeping requirements.
10. Cape Girardeau, MO
The City of Cape Girardeau's Animal Ordinance allows residents to have a maximum of 6 backyard chickens. The ordinance prohibits roosters and allows female chickens to be kept for personal use only. Chickens, as required by the ordinance, must be at all times kept in an enclosure or fenced area. Such enclosures must only be located in the rear yard and at least at least 25 feet from any principal structure on an adjacent property.
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