Backyard Chickens in Cedar City, Utah

Can you keep chickens in Cedar City?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Cedar City, Utah? The city's municipal code permits up to six hens per residential lot for personal, non-commercial egg production, but roosters are off the table and coops must be set well back from neighboring homes. Here's everything Peggy's Happy Chickens found in Cedar City's official ordinance so you can raise your flock the right way.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are legal in Cedar City. Cedar City's municipal code allows chickens to be kept for non-commercial purposes on residential lots as an accessory use (§ 26-IV-18(A)). While Chapter 11 of the Animal Control code generally lists domestic fowl (including chickens) as 'prohibited' unless the property is correctly zoned for them, residential zones are expressly permitted to keep chickens under the zoning ordinance's specific chicken-keeping section.

The number of chickens is capped at six (6) per lot (§ 26-IV-18(B)), and roosters are prohibited city-wide (§ 26-IV-18(C)). Chickens must be confined within a secure, outdoor, enclosed area that includes a covered coop, and the coop must be set back a minimum of 35 feet from any neighboring dwelling in addition to meeting all standard zoning setbacks (§ 26-IV-18(D)-(E)).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 35 ft.

Peggy knows Cedar City

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Chickens are limited to six (6) per lot and may only be kept for non-commercial purposes as an accessory residential use (§ 26-IV-18(A)-(B)).
Roosters are prohibited everywhere in the city (§ 26-IV-18(C)).
Chickens must be confined within a secure, outdoor, enclosed area that includes a covered chicken coop (§ 26-IV-18(D)).
If the coop has a permanent electrical connection, it must comply with the electric code and pass a City building inspection (§ 26-IV-18(D)).
The coop must meet all standard zoning setbacks and be at least 35 feet from any neighboring dwelling (§ 26-IV-18(E)).
Domestic fowl (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons) are treated as 'prohibited animals' under Chapter 11 unless the property is correctly zoned and in compliance with Chapter 26 — meaning a standard residential lot following the Section 26-IV-18 rules is compliant.
Fowl may not be allowed to trespass onto neighboring property or run at large (§ 11-IX-3).
No separate city 'chicken permit' or license fee is described in the ordinance for a compliant residential flock; the only required approval is a building inspection if permanent electrical service is run to the coop.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Cedar City

🌡️ Climate

Cold semi-arid high desert (Köppen BSk), USDA Hardiness Zone ~6b

Cedar City sits at roughly 5,800–5,846 feet elevation in a high desert valley of southwestern Utah, giving it noticeably cooler temperatures than lower-elevation Utah desert towns. Average summer highs reach around 90°F while winter lows commonly drop to the high teens, and the area receives heavy seasonal snowfall despite an overall dry, low-humidity climate. Chicken keepers should plan for insulated, wind-blocked coops for winter and good ventilation/shade for hot, dry summer afternoons.

🦝 Who's after your hens

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Cedar Valley's mix of open desert, farmland, and adjacent mountain foothills supports a variety of predators that target backyard flocks, including hawks and other raptors, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. A fully enclosed, predator-resistant coop with a secure run — as required by city ordinance — is essential, especially given the ordinance's requirement that birds be confined to a secure outdoor enclosure at all times.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Cold-hardy, dual-purpose breeds do best given Cedar City's snowy winters and hot, dry summers: Buff Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Chantecler.

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Cedar City

▸How many chickens can I keep in Cedar City?

Up to six (6) chickens are allowed per residential lot under Section 26-IV-18(B) of the Cedar City municipal code.

▸Are roosters allowed in Cedar City?

No. Cedar City's ordinance expressly prohibits the keeping of roosters (§ 26-IV-18(C)).

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Cedar City?

The ordinance does not require a general permit or license to keep a compliant backyard flock. The only permit trigger is if your coop has a permanent electrical connection, which requires compliance with the electric code and a City building inspection (§ 26-IV-18(D)).

▸How far must my chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?

The coop must meet all standard zoning setbacks and be located at least 35 feet from any neighboring dwelling (§ 26-IV-18(E)).

▸Can I let my chickens free-range in my yard?

Chickens must be confined within a secure, outdoor, enclosed area that includes a covered coop at all times (§ 26-IV-18(D)); they may not be allowed to run at large or trespass onto neighboring property (§ 11-IX-3).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Cedar City or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 29, 2026.