Salt Lake City

Sustainability

Contact SLCgreen (801) 535-6470 | slcgreen@slcgov.com

Backyard Chickens in Salt Lake City

backyard chickens

Salt Lake City has made changes to city ordinances to relax restrictions and allow residential chicken coops. Residential chickens benefit our community in a variety of ways while providing a sustainable, healthy and fun source of food.

Backyard chickens can improve the health of your yard and your family. The most obvious benefit of keeping chickens is the production of eggs. Eggs from well maintained backyard chickens are not only cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but they are actually healthier and taste better too!

Compared to factory-farmed eggs, backyard eggs contain significantly more Vitamins A and E, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids. Chickens provide more than healthy food. They act as a natural pest control by eating insects and  their droppings are rich in nitrogen, making it an excellent addition to your compost bin.

Finally, raising chickens at home can help reconnect the divide that has been created between the American diet and food production. Playing a larger role in the production of the food on your table will help foster a greater understanding of and appreciation for what you eat.


Conditions for Residential Chickens

  • Permit must be obtained from Salt Lake County Animal Services, $75 (regardless of the number of birds).
  • Maximum of 15 Chickens and no roosters
  • Chickens must be kept in secure, enclosed area
  • Coop must have minimum of two (2) square feet per Chicken; six (6) square feet per Chicken if not allowed out of coop
  • Chickens must be kept in rear yard at least twenty-five (25) feet from dwelling on adjacent lot
  • Coops must be neat and sanitary
  • Chicken feed must be stored in rodent and predator resistant containers

Review the Chicken Ordinance (PDF)

Apply for a Permit

All backyard permits are managed by Salt Lake County and Animal Services, email AnLicense@slco.org to obtain a permit.