Are Chickens Allowed in Minneapolis?

BySusan Medlin

Yes — in Minneapolis, backyard chickens and other fowl (ducks, turkeys, pigeons, quail, etc.) are allowed, but only under certain conditions. You’ll need a permit, meet zoning and neighbor consent requirements, and follow rules about housing, inspections, and renewals. Here’s a full breakdown of what you need to know.

City Rules & Ordinances

  • Keeping fowl (including chickens) is regulated under Minneapolis’s Animal Care & Control code. You must obtain a permit to keep chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.
  • The relevant code is Title 4, Animal Care & Control, Chapter “Keeping of Fowl” in Minneapolis ordinances.
  • The city requires that you attend an approved fowl education course as part of the permit process.
  • You must get consent or notify neighbors in many cases. Consent from neighbors becomes especially important if you want more than 6 fowl or want a rooster.
  • Inspections: An animal control officer must inspect the premises to ensure the housing and care meet livability / safety standards.

Permit Types & Fees

Here are some of the permit tiers and what costs are involved:

  • 1–6 fowl: Permit fees and renewal fees are lower.
  • 7–15 fowl: Higher fees for both application and renewal.
  • 16–30 fowl: Even higher permit levels and fees.
  • Rooster permit: Permitting a rooster costs more. There is a specific fee for that.

Limits, Requirements & Conditions

  • Number of birds: Up to 6 fowl (hens etc.) under the lowest permit tier. If you want more than 6, you’ll need consent from neighbors or meet stricter zoning/permit requirements.
  • Roosters allowed? Yes — but require special permission, neighborhood consent, and usually fall under stricter setback or other rules.
  • Zoning & location: Some housing types (single-family homes, duplexes) are more likely to qualify; apartment dwellings likely do not. The coop must meet certain setback and housing condition standards.
  • Renewals & inspections: Permits are annual, and authorities can inspect to ensure the animals are housed properly, with cleanliness, safety, etc. Violations (odor, pests, or noise complaints) can lead to permit revocation.

What to Check / Do Before Getting Chickens in Minneapolis

  1. Verify your property type (single-family, duplex, etc.) — whether you’re eligible under city zoning.
  2. Check the Minneapolis zoning department or Planning & Economic Development division for whether your lot’s zoning allows fowl keeping.
  3. Complete the required fowl education course for the permit.
  4. Notify neighbors or get their consent (especially for more than 6 fowl or chickens with roosters). Document this properly.
  5. Design or purchase a coop/run that meets minimum safety, cleanliness, setback and housing standards. Be ready for inspection.
  6. Budget for application fees, renewal fees, and potential compliance costs (cleaning, predator proofing, etc.)
  7. Maintain the setup well — avoid nuisance complaints (noise, odor, pests) to keep your permit in good standing.

Practical Examples

  • Scenario A: You have 4 hens (no rooster) in a backyard of a single-family home. You apply for the 1–6 fowl permit, complete the education course, notify neighbors or show proof of consent if needed. If your coop passes inspection, you can legally keep them.
  • Scenario B: You want 10 hens. You will need a higher-tier permit, pay higher fees, and likely obtain written consent from a large proportion of your neighbors. Coop and site will be inspected carefully.
  • Scenario C: You want a rooster. You’ll need special permit, satisfy extra requirements, possibly stricter setback, and neighbor agreement. Expect more oversight.
  • Scenario D: You live in a multi-unit building (apartment / condo): likely not eligible under Minneapolis code to keep chickens under your permit because many rules restrict to single-family / duplex zoning or require specific types of residential lot.

Conclusion

In summary: yes, chickens are allowed in Minneapolis under the city’s rules — but only with a permit, meeting education & zoning requirements, neighbor consent in many cases, and proper housing. If you follow the rules, it’s legal and doable.

If you like, I can write you a full HTML-formatted guide for “How to legally keep backyard chickens in Minneapolis” including fees, coop examples, comparison table, etc. Want me to build that next?