Backyard Chickens in Lehi, Utah

Can you keep chickens in Lehi?

Thinking about keeping hens in Lehi? The city welcomes backyard chickens under its Development Code's "Category Four" animal rules, allowing up to eight birds on a typical single-family lot without a permit — though roosters are limited to larger or agriculturally zoned properties. Here's what Lehi's actual municipal code says about flock size, roosters, coop setbacks, and more.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are allowed in Lehi, Utah. Chickens fall under "Category Four" small farm animals in the Lehi City Development Code, along with ducks, pheasants, rabbits, pigeons, and birds of prey (§ 12.120(D)(4)).

On any residential property with a single-family detached dwelling, up to eight Category Four animals may be kept, and eight additional animals are allowed for each additional half acre of property in the A-1, TH-5, RA-1, and R-1-22 Districts. Properties in the A-5 zone, or five-plus acre parcels in the TH-5/A-1 zones, have no defined maximum. Properties with attached housing units in the MU, R-2, R-2.5, and R-3 Districts are limited to four Category Four animals. On one-acre-or-larger lots in the R-1-15 and R-1-12 Districts, keeping more than eight requires a Conditional Use Permit (§ 12.120(D)(4)(c)).

Roosters are restricted: "The keeping of roosters shall be allowed only in the A-5, TH-5, and A-1 Districts and on properties of one acre or more in the RA-1 and R-1-22 Districts" (§ 12.120(D)(4)(e)). In most standard single-family residential zones on typical lots, roosters are not permitted.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 8
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Setback from property line: 30 ft.

Peggy knows Lehi

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per Lehi City Development Code § 12.120(D)(8)(c): "Coops shall be located at least 30 feet from any neighboring dwelling, or other building used for human occupancy and at least 25 feet from any public road."

Maintenance requirement (§ 12.120(D)(9)): "All coops, corrals, barns, and other animal facilities shall be maintained and kept clean as to prevent nuisances to neighboring property owners," with further nuisance standards found in Title 6, Chapter 4, Article E of the Lehi City Municipal Code.

Animal offspring (chicks) do not count toward the maximum allowed animals on a property until they are weaned or reach eight months of age (§ 12.120(D)(10)). No more than two birds of prey (hawks) may be kept on any property regardless of other Category Four allowances (§ 12.120(D)(5)(c)). A Conditional Use Permit is required to exceed 8 Category Four animals on qualifying one-acre-or-larger lots in the R-1-15 and R-1-12 Districts.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Lehi

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6a/6b (semi-arid high desert)

Lehi sits in Utah's Wasatch Front valley at about 4,500 feet elevation, giving it a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers (regularly in the 90s°F) and cold winters that can dip well below freezing with snow. Chicken keepers should provide shade and ventilation in summer and insulated, draft-free coops with unfrozen water sources in winter.

🦝 Who's after your hens

HawkRaccoonFoxCoyoteSkunkWeasel

Lehi's location along the Wasatch Front foothills and near farmland/open space means backyard flocks face a range of predators including hawks (notably, the City's own code lists birds of prey as a regulated category of animal), raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks, and weasels. Secure, fully enclosed coops and runs with predator-proof latches and buried hardware cloth are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Orpington, Wyandotte, Australorp

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

Questions people ask about Lehi

▸How many chickens can I keep in Lehi?

On a residential property with a single-family detached dwelling, you may keep up to 8 Category Four animals (which includes chickens, ducks, pheasants, rabbits, pigeons, and birds of prey combined). Eight additional animals are allowed per additional half acre in the A-1, TH-5, RA-1, and R-1-22 Districts, and there is no defined maximum on A-5 zoned or 5+ acre TH-5/A-1 properties.

▸Are roosters allowed in Lehi?

Only in certain zones. Lehi's code states that roosters are allowed only in the A-5, TH-5, and A-1 Districts, and on properties of one acre or more in the RA-1 and R-1-22 Districts. Most standard residential lots cannot keep roosters.

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

No general permit is required to keep chickens within the allowed limits. However, a Conditional Use Permit is required if you want to keep more than 8 Category Four animals on qualifying one-acre-or-larger lots in the R-1-15 or R-1-12 Districts.

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

Coops must be located at least 30 feet from any neighboring dwelling or other building used for human occupancy, and at least 25 feet from any public road, per Lehi City Development Code § 12.120(D)(8)(c).

▸Can I keep more chickens if I have a larger lot?

Yes. In the A-1, TH-5, RA-1, and R-1-22 Districts, eight additional Category Four animals are permitted for each additional half acre of property beyond the base allowance. Properties in the A-5 zone or 5+ acre lots in TH-5/A-1 have no defined maximum number.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Lehi or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 17, 2026.