Backyard chickens in Austin, Texas
Everything you need to know before you start a backyard flock in Austin – the rules, the climate and the neighbors with teeth.
Can you keep chickens in Austin?
Yes — you can keep backyard hens in Austin, and it's easier than you'd think. Here's exactly what the city allows and how to start collecting fresh eggs in your own backyard.
Yes – with conditions
Yes. Backyard hens are legal in Austin, Texas. The city sets no hard cap on hens for a typical residential lot and requires no permit. Your coop must sit at least 30 feet from any neighboring residence (lowered from 50 feet in 2022) and at least 5 feet from your side and rear property lines. Roosters are not allowed — hens only. Coops must have four secure sides and an overhead cover and be kept clean and nuisance-free.
The rules at a glance
- Hens in city limits
- Allowed
- How many hens
- No Set Limit
- Roosters
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Permit cost
- Not specified
- Setback from property line
- 30 ft
Peggy knows Austin
The rules, straight from the municipal code.
Coop must be ≥30 ft from neighboring homes and ≥5 ft from side/rear property lines. Four secure sides plus an overhead cover required. Keep clean and nuisance-free. Hens only. Austin has historically offered a ~$75 composting/chicken-keeping rebate (2017–2021, Austin Resource Recovery) — confirm current availability.
Keeping a flock happy in Austin
🌡️ Climate
8b–9a
Austin sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b–9a — long hot summers and short mild winters. Heat is the real challenge, not cold: give your flock shade, constant fresh water, and a well-ventilated coop to keep them laying through July and August. Mild winters mean steady production with little intervention.
🦝 Who's after your hens
Around Austin, raccoons and hawks are the most common threats, with coyotes and foxes near greenbelts and the outskirts. Use locking two-step latches (raccoons defeat simple ones), cover the run from above against hawks and owls, and bury hardware cloth around the base to stop diggers.
🐔 Breeds that do well here
Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Australorp, Easter Egger, Plymouth Rock
Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.
“We set our Peggy's coop up in our South Austin backyard on a Saturday and had our first eggs that week. Even through the summer heat the girls kept laying, and I've never worried about raccoons getting in.”
Questions people ask about Austin
▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Austin?
No. Austin doesn't require a permit for a backyard flock of hens on a standard residential lot.
▸How many hens can I keep?
Austin sets no hard cap for a typical residential lot — most families keep 4–10 hens.
▸How far from my neighbors does my coop need to be?
At least 30 feet from a neighboring residence and 5 feet from your side and rear property lines.
▸Can I keep a rooster?
No. Austin allows hens only — roosters are prohibited on standard residential properties.
▸Will my hens lay through the Texas summer?
Yes, with shade, ventilation, and constant fresh water. Heat-tolerant breeds like Rhode Island Reds handle Austin summers well.
City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Austin or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked July 26, 2026.
Ready to start your own flock?
Everything arrives at your door – the coop, two Rhode Island Red hens, and all the gear in between.
Start my farm · $1,499or 4 interest-free payments of $374.75 with
