Backyard Chickens in El Paso, Texas

Can you keep chickens in El Paso?

Thinking about raising backyard hens in the Sun City? El Paso's municipal code allows a small flock of hens as pets without a permit, while larger flocks and roosters (capped at three) require a City permit and compliance with strict setback and sanitation rules — all designed to keep the desert-adapted urban flock a good neighbor.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Under the City of El Paso Code of Ordinances, Title 7 (Animals), Chapter 7.24 (Livestock and Other Animals), residents may keep chickens. Households may keep fewer than six fowl as household pets without a permit, but keeping six or more, or keeping fowl for any purpose other than as household pets, requires an animal permit (§ 7.24.020.B.1). Where fowl are kept, no more than three roosters per household are allowed (§ 7.24.020.B.1), a limit also confirmed on the City's own Fowl/Rabbit/Livestock permit application form. Permitted fowl enclosures must be at least 30 feet from any private residence (other than the owner's), hotel, apartment, tenement house, hospital, church, or school — reducible to 20 feet if separated by a public alley and a solid 6-foot fence or wall (§ 7.24.030.B).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: No Set Limit
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: Yes
Setback from property line: 30 ft.

Peggy knows El Paso

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Permit-free threshold: Keeping fewer than six (5 or fewer) fowl as household pets does not require a permit; keeping six or more, or keeping fowl for non-pet/commercial purposes, requires a permit (§ 7.24.020.B.1).
No fixed numeric cap with permit: The ordinance does not set a flat maximum hen count. Instead, once a permit is required, the City's Veterinary Officer sets the authorized number of animals as a permit condition, based on lot size, zoning, neighborhood character, and nuisance/health considerations (§ 7.24.050.A–B).
Roosters: Limited to a maximum of three (3) per household, and only where fowl are otherwise permitted (§ 7.24.020.B.1; confirmed on the City's official Fowl/Rabbit/Livestock Permit Application).
Setback: Permitted fowl pens/enclosures must be kept at least 30 feet from any private residence (except the owner's own), hotel, apartment house, tenement house, hospital, church, or school. This may be reduced to 20 feet if a public alley plus a solid fence/wall at least 6 feet high separates the enclosure from those buildings. The City's veterinary officer may waive distance requirements if no nuisance or health hazard results (§ 7.24.030.A–B).
Sanitation: Manure must be removed from pens/enclosures at least twice weekly and disposed of so as not to create a nuisance; feed must be handled to prevent breeding of flies/rodents; standing water must not be allowed to breed mosquitoes (§ 7.24.030.D).
Zoning: Keeping fowl must also comply with the City's zoning ordinance; farm-ranch or stockyard/stable-permitted zoning districts have separate allowances (§ 7.24.020.A–B).
Permits: Annual permits are required, subject to renewal, inspection, and revocation for nuisance violations (§ 7.24.050.D–F).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in El Paso

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 8a/8b - Chihuahuan Desert (hot-arid)

El Paso has a hot desert climate with intense summer heat (frequently 95-105°F), very low humidity, and mild but occasionally freezing winters. Coops should prioritize shade, ventilation, and cooling (e.g., misters, frozen water treats) far more than winter insulation. Sudden winter cold fronts can still bring brief hard freezes, so a wind-blocking, insulated roosting area is still recommended.

🦝 Who's after your hens

CoyoteHawkFoxSnakeBobcatSkunk

El Paso's desert and arroyo terrain supports coyotes, gray foxes, bobcats, hawks (including red-tailed hawks), rattlesnakes and other snakes, and skunks, all of which can target unsecured coops, eggs, or free-ranging birds, especially near the city's outskirts and open desert lots.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Leghorn, Easter Egger, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Egyptian Fayoumi, Naked Neck (Turken)

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

Questions people ask about El Paso

▸Do I need a permit to keep a few backyard hens in El Paso?

No — if you keep fewer than six chickens strictly as household pets (not for sale or business), El Paso's code does not require a permit (§ 7.24.020.B.1). A permit is required once you keep six or more, or if the birds are not kept purely as pets.

▸How many roosters can I keep in El Paso?

A maximum of three roosters per household is allowed where fowl are otherwise permitted, per § 7.24.020.B.1 and the City's official Fowl/Rabbit/Livestock permit application.

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

Permitted fowl enclosures must be at least 30 feet from any private residence other than the owner's (and from hotels, apartments, hospitals, churches, or schools), or 20 feet if separated by a public alley and a solid 6-foot fence/wall (§ 7.24.030.B).

▸How often must I clean out chicken waste?

Manure and waste must be removed from pens and enclosures at least twice weekly and disposed of in a way that does not create a nuisance or health hazard (§ 7.24.030.D.1).

▸Is there a maximum number of hens allowed with a permit?

El Paso's ordinance does not set one fixed numeric cap. Once a permit is required (six or more birds), the City's Veterinary Officer sets the authorized number as a permit condition based on lot size, zoning, and nuisance potential (§ 7.24.050.A-B).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with El Paso or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 31, 2026.