Own Chickens

Local laws · Minnesota

Bloomington chicken laws

City of Bloomington allows up to 4 hens on single- and two-family residential properties, with strict setbacks (30 feet from lot lines, 50 feet from neighboring homes and streets) and a required 6-foot privacy fence. Roosters are prohibited.

Last checked 2026-11-01 against official city sources. Rules change, so confirm with the city before buying birds.

Quick facts

Chicken limit
Up to 4 hens (in addition to the 4 domestic-animal pet limit)
Roosters
Roosters (adult male chickens) prohibited anywhere in the city
Permit or license
The city page does not list a separate chicken permit; confirm with the Planning Division (952-563-8920)
Last checked
2026-11-01

This applies inside Bloomington city limits. ZIP codes and mailing addresses can cross city lines, and nearby towns, villages, and counties have their own rules. HOA rules and leases can be stricter.

Before you apply

  • Chickens are allowed only on single-family or two-family residential properties, not properties with three or more dwelling units.
  • Contact the Planning Division at 952-563-8920 or planning@BloomingtonMN.gov to confirm your coop location meets the setbacks before building.

Key rules

  • Governed by Bloomington City Code Sec. 12.115/12.116 and Sec. 21.302.05.
  • Shelters and enclosures must be at least 30 feet from property lot lines, in the rear or side yard, and at least 50 feet from any adjacent street.
  • The shelter must be at least 50 feet from any dwelling on an abutting parcel and closer to your own home than to any neighbor's home.
  • A solid privacy fence at least 6 feet tall must screen the shelter and enclosure from abutting residential properties.
  • Shelters may not exceed 120 square feet or 6 feet in height; enclosures may not exceed 20 square feet per bird or 6 feet in height and need overhead netting.
  • Chickens must stay in the shelter or enclosure at all times, the shelter must be winterized, and chickens over 4 weeks old may not be kept in a dwelling or garage.

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Other cities we have checked

WIMadisonUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIMilwaukeeUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIGreen BayUp to 5 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIAppletonUp to 6 chickens (hens only). Roosters not allowed (the rules define chickens as hens only). WIEau ClaireUp to 5 poultry (hens; quail included). Roosters, cocks, and drakes prohibited. WILa CrosseUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIOshkoshUp to 6 chickens and/or ducks per residential lot. The permit covers hens; confirm rooster rules in Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code. WIKenoshaUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIColumbusUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIJanesvilleUp to 4 hens or 4 female ducks (not both). Roosters and drakes prohibited. WIWaukeshaUp to 4 chickens (6 on parcels over 1 acre). Roosters prohibited (ducks, geese, turkeys, and other fowl also prohibited). WISheboyganUp to 3 domestic animals/fowl over 5 months without a permit; Animal Fancier Permit required for more than 3. Subject to nuisance and noise provisions in Sheboygan Municipal Code Sec. 8-15. WIWauwatosaUp to 4 chickens (hens). Roosters prohibited. WIFond du LacUp to 4 hens and/or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WIWausauUp to 4 hens or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WISun PrairieUp to 4 hens (up to 15 hens at permitted schools). Roosters prohibited. WIFitchburg25 chickens per acre, prorated by lot size (0.25 animal units per acre under Sec. 22-56(14)). Subject to city noise and nuisance ordinances; check subdivision covenants. WIMiddletonUp to 6 hens on lots up to 0.5 acre; up to 8 hens on lots over 0.5 acre. Roosters and crowing hens prohibited. WIStevens PointUp to 5 chickens (or combination of up to 5 chickens, ducks, or rabbits). Roosters prohibited. WINeenahUp to 4 total chickens, doves, or other fowl per property. Roosters prohibited. WIBeaver DamNot allowed (0 chickens in city limits). Prohibited (all chickens and farm poultry prohibited). WIWatertownUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIBeloitUp to 4 female chickens. Roosters prohibited (including capons). WIDe PereUp to 4 chickens (combined dogs, cats, and chickens cannot exceed 6 animals). Roosters prohibited. MNMinneapolisPermit fee tiers cover 1-6, 7-15, and 16-30 birds. Separate rooster permit fee ($110); neighbor consent required. MNSaint PaulUp to 15 hens (Tier One: 1-6, Tier Two: 7-15). Roosters prohibited. ILChicagoNo numeric limit in city code for egg-laying hens (must meet sanitation, noise, and space standards). Not explicitly banned by species, but crowing that disturbs neighbors violates Chicago noise and animal nuisance ordinances. ILEvanston2 to 6 hens (minimum of 2, maximum of 6). Roosters prohibited on residential properties (limited exception for accredited educational institutions under Ord. 22-O-23). MNRochesterUp to 3 hens (up to 12 hens for educational or instructional activity with letter of request). Roosters prohibited. MNDuluthUp to 5 female chickens. Roosters prohibited. IADes MoinesUp to 30 birds total (max 2 species) on parcels under 1 acre; up to 50 on 1 acre plus 50 per additional acre. Roosters require written consent from every abutting property owner or lawful occupant (Ord. 16,402). IACedar RapidsUp to 6 hens (female chickens). Roosters prohibited. IAIowa CityUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. MIAnn ArborUp to 6 birds (chickens, ducks, or a combination of both). Roosters (male chickens) prohibited; drakes (male ducks) and hen ducks are permitted. MIGrand RapidsUp to 4 hens on lots 3,800–5,000 sq ft; up to 6 hens on lots over 5,000 sq ft (lots under 3,800 sq ft ineligible). Roosters expressly prohibited regardless of age. INIndianapolisUp to 12 adult poultry (chickens, ducks, quail, or pigeons) per lot. Up to 1 rooster allowed per lot, provided it is kept inside a fully enclosed structure from dusk to dawn. OHColumbusDetermined by coop and run space (laying hens need at least 1.5 sq ft inside the coop and 8 sq ft in the outside run per bird; large chickens need 2 sq ft coop / 10 sq ft run; bantams 1 sq ft coop / 4 sq ft run). Roosters prohibited (peafowl, geese, and turkeys also prohibited). WIRacineUp to 4 hens. The permit covers hens only; confirm rooster rules in Racine Municipal Code Sec. 10-6 (Urban Chickens). IADubuqueNo city cap on the number of hens. Roosters and male ducks prohibited.