Are Chickens Allowed in Phoenix, Arizona?

BySusan Medlin

Yes — chickens are allowed in Phoenix, but there are several rules and recent changes in state law that affect what you can do. If you live in Phoenix (or plan to), you’ll need to follow city code and state law. Below is a detailed summary of what is permitted, what restrictions apply, and what to check for your address.

What the Law & City Code Allow

  • Phoenix’s City Code (Title 8, Section 8-7 “Poultry and Rodents”) allows residents to keep poultry, including chickens. Chickens kept in enclosures must not be closer than 20 feet from neighboring property lines.
  • Following legislation passed by the Arizona Legislature (House Bill 2325, signed in May 2024), cities in Arizona cannot ban backyard chickens in single-family detached homes. So Phoenix cannot make a city-wide prohibition in those situations.
  • The state law generally allows up to six (6) chickens on properties of certain size (for example properties half an acre or less in many interpretations).

Key Restrictions & Requirements in Phoenix

  • No roosters — loud noise can cause complaints, and city code or common practice doesn’t allow roosters in many residential neighborhoods.
  • Setback: The coop or poultry enclosure must be at least 20 feet from a neighboring property line.
  • Lot size / number of chickens: The exact number of hens you can have may depend on how large your property is, local zoning, and whether you comply with required setbacks. Phoenix seems to allow up to around 20 hens for larger lots (like half an acre) under some interpretations, but for smaller lots the number is usually lower.
  • Enclosures must be properly maintained — clean, sanitary, and free from nuisance odors or pests.
  • Front‐yard restrictions: Coops and enclosures are typically not allowed in front yards; they must be placed in side or back yards.

Recent State Law Changes

  • Arizona passed HB 2325 in 2024, which prevents cities from banning backyard chickens on single-family detached lots. This means a homeowner in Phoenix cannot be prohibited from keeping chickens outright, if they meet the criteria.
  • Under that law, cities can still regulate coops (setbacks, enclosures, number of chickens) and require that the chickens are kept responsibly.

Things to Double-Check Before You Get Chickens

  • Check your property zoning — even though state law protects certain rights for single-family detached homes, your lot size, zoning classification, and whether you’re under special city district rules matter.
  • Find the exact location on your parcel where you plan to put the coop/run. Measure proposed setbacks. If you are closer than 20 feet to a neighboring lot line, it may violate city code.
  • Know HOA or deed restriction rules. Private covenants might prohibit chickens even if city/state law allows them.
  • Design a coop/enclosure so it’s clean, pest-resistant, well-ventilated, shaded, and appropriate for Phoenix heat. Provide fresh water and predator protection.
  • Ensure any enclosure meets size, height, cleanliness, and waste control standards — this helps avoid neighbor complaints or city enforcement.

Summary

So yes — backyard chickens are allowed in Phoenix, AZ, particularly under the updated state law protecting the rights of single-family detached homeowners. But they’re not allowed without conditions: your coop must meet setback rules, you cannot have roosters, you’ll need to keep the setup clean, and your lot size and zoning matter. If you provide your ZIP code or neighborhood, it’s possible to check whether there are additional local restrictions that apply to your location.