Backyard Chickens in Goodyear, Arizona

Can you keep chickens in Goodyear?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Goodyear, Arizona? The city allows up to six hens per single-family detached home under its zoning ordinance's fowl-keeping rules — no roosters, no permit, just a properly placed and sized enclosure. Here's exactly what Peggy's Happy Chickens found in Goodyear's actual code.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Under the Goodyear Zoning Ordinance, a resident of a single-family detached residence is permitted to keep fowl on residential property in the AU, R1-10, R1-7, R1-6, R1-4, R1-C and R2 zoning districts, subject to specific limits (§ 3-2-4(d)). This brought Goodyear into compliance with Arizona's statewide House Bill 2325, which requires cities to allow backyard chickens on qualifying single-family lots.

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: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Goodyear

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per Goodyear Zoning Ordinance § 3-2-4(d), fowl-keeping on single-family residential lots is subject to the following rules:

Fowl are limited to six (6) or fewer per property.
Male fowl, including roosters, are not permitted.
Fowl must be kept in an enclosure and not allowed to run at-large.
Enclosures must be located in the rear or side yard, kept at least 20 feet from a neighboring property, no larger than 200 square feet, no taller than 8 feet, and must be shorter than the property's fence line.
Enclosures must be maintained and manure picked up/disposed of or composted at least twice weekly, with composted manure stored so as to prevent insect migration.
Water sources must have adequate overflow drainage, and feed must be stored in insect-proof and rodent-proof containers.

The City's separate Code of Ordinances § 7-1-4 generally bars keeping poultry within city limits 'unless permitted by this code or the zoning regulations of the City,' with the zoning ordinance fowl provisions serving as that permission, and also requires that animal-keeping not create a public/private nuisance (noise, odor, pests) and that manure be removed from premises at least twice weekly.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Goodyear

🌡️ Climate

Hot Desert (Köppen BWh) — USDA Hardiness Zone 9b/10a

Goodyear sits in the Sonoran Desert on the west side of the Phoenix metro area, with extreme summer heat (regularly 105-115°F) and mild, dry winters. Chicken keepers must prioritize shade, ventilation, and constant fresh water to prevent heat stress, and predator-proofing against desert wildlife year-round.

🦝 Who's after your hens

CoyoteHawkBobcatSnakeRaccoonSkunkOpossum

Desert-adjacent Goodyear has active coyote and bobcat populations along with hawks, owls, snakes, raccoons, and skunks. Coops and runs should be fully enclosed (including a secure roof) with buried hardware cloth to prevent digging predators from accessing birds, and chickens should be locked in a predator-proof coop at night when coyotes and bobcats are most active.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Heat-tolerant breeds such as Leghorns, Easter Eggers, Australorps, Sussex, and Egyptian Fayoumis do well in Goodyear's desert climate due to their heat tolerance and lighter comb/wattle configurations that help dissipate heat.

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

Questions people ask about Goodyear

▸How many chickens can I keep in Goodyear, AZ?

Up to six (6) fowl are allowed on a single-family detached residential property under Goodyear Zoning Ordinance § 3-2-4(d).

▸Are roosters allowed in Goodyear?

No. The ordinance specifically states that male fowl, including roosters, are not permitted (§ 3-2-4(d)(2)).

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Goodyear?

The zoning ordinance's fowl-keeping provision does not list a permit requirement (unlike some other accessory uses in the same section, such as home businesses or group homes, which explicitly require permits). Backyard flocks meeting the size, setback, and enclosure standards are allowed by right.

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

Fowl enclosures must be kept at least 20 feet from a neighboring property and located in the rear or side yard (§ 3-2-4(d)(4)).

▸What size can my chicken coop be?

Enclosures may be a maximum of 200 square feet and no taller than 8 feet, and must be shorter than the property's fence line (§ 3-2-4(d)(4)).

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Goodyear or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 23, 2026.