Are Chickens Allowed in Valparaiso, Indiana?

Yes — chickens are allowed within Valparaiso city limits, but under strict rules. If you want to keep hens in your backyard, you’ll need to follow the city ordinance carefully. Below is a full guide (1,200+ words) explaining what’s permitted, what restrictions apply, potential challenges, and what you should check before getting chickens.

What the Valparaiso Ordinance Says

• The relevant section is § 91.24 “Chickens” in the Valparaiso Code of Ordinances. It sets out detailed rules.
• You may keep up to four chickens on properties that are less than five acres in size.
• No roosters are allowed — only hens (female chickens).
• Chickens must be kept entirely within your property, in a coop or enclosure that is secure.
• Coops must meet certain construction and space requirements:
  • Provide shelter from weather (rain, sun, etc.), shade, and ventilation.
  • Be impermeable to predators (including wild animals, cats, dogs), rodents, etc.
  • Coop must provide at least 10 square feet per chicken.
  • Maximum coop size is 75 total square feet.
  • Maximum height is 10 feet.
• The coop must be at least 10 feet from all property lines. On corner lots, location needs special approval (Building Commissioner involvement).
• Chickens and coops must be in the rear yard of the property, not in front or side yards.
• Use is for non-commercial, personal use only. You may not slaughter chickens on the property.
• Feed must be stored so as to prevent rodents or vermin intrusion.
• The coop must be maintained in a sanitary condition, following any applicable health regulations of the State of Indiana, Porter County, and Valparaiso.

Why These Rules Exist

The ordinance sets restrictions for several reasons:

• Health and sanitation: To prevent disease, odor, pests, and nuisance issues.
• Safety and control: Ensuring chickens stay on your property, protected from predators, not roaming freely.
• Neighborhood compatibility: Avoiding noise, smells, and visual issues that may bother nearby homes.
• Zoning consistency: Treating chicken keeping as a compatible accessory use in residential zones under certain restrictions.

What You Need to Plan If You Want Chickens

If you’re considering keeping hens, here’s what to plan and check:

1. Lot size & property type: Make sure your property is under five acres. If over five acres, rules may differ or you may qualify under “agricultural use” definitions.
2. Count your chickens: You can have up to four hens. No roosters. Plan for how many you want, making sure it doesn’t exceed that cap.
3. Coop design: Must be secure, predator-proof, ventilated, with shade and shelter. Ensure 10 sq ft per chicken and total coop size ≤ 75 sq ft. In height, no more than 10 feet.
4. Location and setbacks: Rear yard only. At least 10 feet from property lines. Special rules apply if you have a corner lot—may need approval.
5. Feed and water: Always available clean water; feed stored in rodent/vermin proof containers.
6. Maintenance and sanitation: Regular cleaning, proper waste disposal, compliance with local health rules. Dirty coops can lead to complaints and enforcement.
7. Permits or inspections: While the ordinance doesn’t appear to require a special permit, you should confirm with Valparaiso’s building or code enforcement department especially if the coop is over some size or is in a corner lot.
8. No commercial use: Eggs must be for personal consumption; no slaughter on site.

Pros & Cons of Keeping Chickens in Valparaiso

• Pros:
  • Fresh eggs from your own flock.
  • Potential to reduce food waste by feeding kitchen scraps to hens.
  • Learning and enjoyment — caring for animals can be educational and rewarding.
  • Compostable manure for gardens if managed well.
  • More control over the health and handling of your food source (hens/eggs).
• Cons:
  • Limited number of chickens (4) and no roosters — you may want more, but you’ll be legally capped.
  • Coop size, setbacks, yard placement can constrain where the coop goes — some yards won’t have enough space or compliant locations.
  • Need for upkeep — cleaning, feeding, predator protection, odor control, rodent control.
  • Potential neighbor complaints if coop is poorly maintained or smells/flies arise.
  • Weather protection needed — Indiana winters are cold; coop must offer shelter from snow/ice and cold temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep roosters in Valparaiso?

No. The ordinance explicitly bans roosters. Only hens are allowed. Having a rooster would violate the code.

How many chickens can I have?

You may have up to four hens if your property is less than five acres. If you have more land, there may be different rules under agricultural zoning, but most typical residential lots will follow the four-hen limit.

Do I need a permit?

The ordinance does not clearly require a permit for the basic keeping of chickens under these rules. However, if your coop is on a corner lot or you don’t meet some standard (like setback or location), you might need approval from the Building Commissioner. It’s wise to check with city code enforcement to be safe.

Can I slaughter chickens on my property?

No. The ordinance says the chickens are for personal use only and prohibits slaughtering on the property.

Where can I put the coop?

Only in the rear yard. At least 10 feet from property lines. For corner lots, it may be located differently, but needs Building Commissioner approval.

What about any special situations (large land, agricultural uses)?

If you own property that’s larger (five acres or more), or if your zoning includes agricultural uses, some rules might differ. There may be fewer limitations or different standards under agricultural zoning. Always check with planning/zoning.

Conclusion

In summary: Yes, Valparaiso, Indiana allows you to keep chickens — specifically hens — under detailed ordinance rules. You can have up to four hens on residential parcels less than five acres. No roosters. Coops must be located in the rear yard, be enclosed, predator-proof, meet size, height, setback, sanitation, and health requirements. The chickens must be for personal use only, no slaughtering on site. If you plan well and follow the rules, keeping backyard hens in Valparaiso is legal.

If you like, I can put together a full **formatted checklist + coop design guide** specific to Valparaiso (with suggested coop plans, layout sketches, thing to avoid) so you can decide exactly how you’d build yours to stay compliant. Would you want that?