Top 7 Nevada Cities That Allow Backyard Chickens

Urban chicken keeping is becoming an increasingly popular practice in the U.S. and many Nevada cities are embracing the trend. Each municipality has its rules and regulations regarding backyard chickens. And while many Nevada cities allow residents to engage in such a practice, some do not. If you're considering raising chickens in your residential backyard, it's important to find out whether such a practice is allowed where you live.

To determine whether your municipality allows chickens, you can contact your local animal control or city clerk's office. If you reside in a community governed by an HOA, different rules may apply to you. Most HOAs don't allow chickens in their community even if chickens are legal to own in the city. So if you live within one, you have to abide by its rules and regulations, which may be different from your municipality's. With that in mind, here are seven Nevada municipalities that allow backyard chickens.

1. Las Vegas, NV

If you live in Las Vegas, NV, and want to have backyard chickens you're in luck! By all accounts, you can have up to 20 chickens (no roosters) on your single-family residential lot in the city. However, you can't do so without first obtaining written permission from adjacent property owners. You may only keep chickens without written consent if they aren't within 350 feet of another residence. The Las Vegas City Code requires chickens to be at all times confined within a suitable coop or enclosed runway that is clean and free from offensive odors.

2. North Las Vegas, NV

The keeping of backyard chickens in the City of North Las Vegas is subject to certain restrictions. The City's Municipal Code states that you must not keep chickens within 60 feet of any dwelling owned by another person. The keeping of roosters or the male of any species of fowl over the age of 3 months is prohibited in North Las Vegas. Your chickens must at all times be confined within a suitable enclosure or coop. Such enclosure or coop must be kept clean and free of offensive odors.

3. Sparks, NV

Backyard chickens are permitted as an accessory use in the SF, MF, MUD-MR, and MUD-RN zoning districts within the City of Sparks, Nevada. No roosters are allowed and the number of hens allowed is based on parcel size. For example, up to five hens may be kept on a parcel between 6,001 and 10,000 square feet in size. According to the City's Zoning Ordinance, chickens may not have access to the front yard. All chicken enclosures must be kept clean from droppings and dead chickens. In addition, chicken enclosures must not be located closer than 10 feet from the main structure and 5 feet from the rear or side property lines.

4. Carson City, NV

Backyard chickens are allowed on residentially zoned properties in Carson City, Nevada. According to Title 7 of the City's municipal code, no more than 4 hens or ducks may be kept on a residential property of less than one acre. You must not exceed this limit without first obtaining a permit from Animal Services.

5. Fernley, NV

Chickens may be kept as an accessory in any zoning district within the City of Fernley, NV. Roosters are prohibited and hens are limited based on parcel size. On a parcel of 2,000 square feet, no more than 2 hens may be kept. No more than 4 hens may kept on a parcel between 2,001 and 6,000 square feet. On parcels between 6,001 and 10,000 square feet, up to 5 hens may be kept. A maximum of 16 hens may be kept on a parcel greater than 10,000 square feet. For more info, visit the city's website or Development Code (CHAPTER 32.07. Sec. 32.07.490.)

6. Elko, NV

The keeping of backyard chickens for non-commercial purposes is permitted within the City of Elko, NV. The City Code allows for a maximum of 4 chickens (no roosters) to be kept in a secured chicken coop. In addition, you may keep no more than 2 chukkers, partridges, valley quails, pheasants, or peafowls. You must prevent your domestic birds from running at large within the city.

7. Boulder City, NV

The keeping of backyard chickens in Boulder City, NV, is limited to properties zoned R1. It is prohibited in R2 and R3 zoning districts, as well as in any other residential zone. In R1 Single-Family Zones, a Chicken Hen Keeping Permit is required to keep a limited number of hens. According to the permit application page, a maximum of 10 chicken hens may be kept on a single-family property. You're permitted to sell eggs if your property is located in the R1-20, R1-40, or R1-80 zones. Your chicken coop and/or fenced outdoor enclosure must be set back from the side and rear property lines by at least five 5 feet.