Top 11 Cities That Allow Backyard Chickens in Wyoming

An adult red hen

Wyoming State law does not address the keeping of backyard chickens in urban areas. Instead, individual municipalities are tasked with making their own chicken-keeping rules. These rules vary by municipality, so whether or not you can own chickens in Wyoming depends on where you reside. Check with your local animal control, zoning office, or municipal clerk to determine whether backyard chickens are permitted in your locality. Meanwhile, backyard chickens are permitted in the following Wyoming municipalities.

1. Cheyenne, WY

In Cheyenne, WY, backyard chickens are permitted in the following zoning districts: LR, MR, HR, and NR. Only female chickens (hens) may be kept in those zoning districts. By ordinance, a maximum of 5 hens are allowed per "eligible lot." By "eligible lot," the ordinance means a lot containing no more than one single-family dwelling unit. Hens must be kept in a covered, predator-proof coop, located in the rear yard of the lot. Your chicken coop is required to provide at least 3 square feet of floor space per hen kept therein.

2. Casper, WY

It is legal to raise chickens, with certain restrictions, in your backyard within the City of Casper, Wyoming. The city's chicken ordinance allows no more than 6 chickens per single-family residence. You must provide your chickens with a covered, well-ventilated coop that is under 60 square feet and under 7 feet tall. You may allow your chickens to roam your yard during the day if there is a 6-foot-high privacy fence to contain them in the yard. Otherwise, you may need to appropriately clip their wings.

3. Laramie, WY

Laramie's Municipal Code allows the keeping of ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, and chickens within city limits. Chickens and other legal domestic birds must be kept in a clean enclosure located at least 20 feet from all neighboring residences. However, this setback requirement may be reduced, provided you obtain written permission from your neighbors. The city code allows you to keep as many as 12 chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or pheasants in any combination.

4. Evanston, WY

You can have backyard chickens in Evanston, WY, as long as you don't permit them to run at large within the City. Permitting your chickens to be at large is an offense punishable by a fine of $25 for the first offense and $50 for a second offense. For a third and subsequent offense, you must appear in City court. Roosters are technically prohibited, as the city code prohibits animals that cause noise disturbances. The number of chickens you can keep isn't restricted, but make sure to keep them in a quantity that won't bother your neighbors.

5. Riverton, WY

The keeping of chickens and/or ducks is permitted within the city limits of Riverton, WY. By ordinance, you're allowed to keep 12 chickens or ducks or any combination of both not exceeding 12 in total on your premises. However, the ordinance does not allow the keeping of male chickens (roosters) and male ducks (drakes) in the city. You're required to keep your chicken or duck enclosure at least 15 feet from neighboring residences. The enclosure is required to provide at least 9 square feet of living space per chicken or duck with a ceiling height of not less than 2 feet.

6. Rawlins, WY

You may have backyard chickens in Rawlins, WY, but not without first obtaining a permit. According to the Rawlins Animal Ordinance, an application for a permit must be made to the city manager or his designee. Upon receipt of an application, the manager may take such action on the application as in his judgment will best serve, promote, and protect the public health and welfare of the city. If your application is denied, you may appeal to the Rawlins City Council. 

7. Lander, WY

You may keep chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, or peafowl in your backyard within the city of Lander, WY. But prior to acquiring the birds, you must apply for and obtain a permit from the City. Per Lander's municipal code, you may pick up an application for the permit at City Hall and file it with the City Clerk. The permit is free of charge and must be renewed by the 1st of July of each year.

8. Douglas, WY

In Douglas, WY, the keeping of backyard chickens is allowed with certain restrictions. According to the City Code, a maximum of 4 chickens may be kept on a parcel of 10,000 square feet or less. Then, one additional chicken is allowed for every 1,000 square feet over the 10,000. By ordinance, the keeping of male chickens (roosters) is not permitted within the city limits of Douglas. Your henhouse or enclosure must be situated 7.5 feet from any property line and 40 feet from any neighboring house.

9. Worland, WY

Subject to certain rules and regulations, backyard chickens are allowed in Worland, WY. First, you need to apply for and obtain a $25 chicken-keeping permit from the City. The permit allows you to keep a maximum of 8 chickens, excluding roosters, in your backyard. Your henhouse or fenced enclosure must be kept 5 feet from any property line or 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling. You may slaughter chickens on your property but you must do so discretely. Per the Worland City Code, the keeping of backyard chickens isn't permitted in the following zones: Central Business, General Business, Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, and Airport.

10. Wheatland, WY

A permit is not required to keep backyard chickens in the Town of Wheatland, Wyoming. There is no specific limit on the number of chickens you may keep in the Town. However, the Town Code requires chickens to be kept in such a manner as not to be offensive or annoying.

11. Bar Nunn, WY

The Town of Bar Nunn's municipal code permits up to 6 female chickens per single-family residential dwelling. Only laying hens and permitted and they must not be kept for commercial purposes. The Town Code also prohibits the butchering of laying chicken hens.

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