Backyard chickens in Longmont, Colorado
Everything you need to know before you start a backyard flock in Longmont – the rules, the climate and the neighbors with teeth.
Can you keep chickens in Longmont?
Thinking about raising backyard hens in Longmont? The city has welcomed hens since 2011 under its Backyard Chicken ordinance, but keepers need to know the flock-size cap, rooster ban, setback rules, and permit process before building a coop.
Yes – with conditions
Yes. The City of Longmont's Ordinance O-2011-02, codified in the Longmont Municipal Code (Title 7, Animals, § 7.06 – "Backyard Chicken Hens"), allows residents to keep hens in the backyard of a residential use in both residential and non-residential zoning districts. Longmont caps flocks at four hens per parcel and prohibits roosters citywide outside of agriculturally-zoned land. A city coop permit is required, and other fowl (ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, pigeons) are not allowed outside agricultural zoning districts.
The rules at a glance
- Hens in city limits
- Allowed
- How many hens
- 4
- Roosters
- No
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit cost
- $30
- Setback from property line
- 6 ft.
Peggy knows Longmont
The rules, straight from the municipal code.
- Location: Hens are restricted to the rear/backyard of a residential lot (or the rear/backyard of a residential use in non-residential zones).
- No free-ranging: Hens may not free range and must stay in the coop and run, unless the keeper obtains written permission from ALL abutting property owners.
- Setback: Coops must be at least 6 ft from any other structure and at least 6 ft from any side or rear property line; coops already existing as of Feb. 1, 2009 are exempt from this setback if the owner obtains the abutting neighbor's written agreement.
- Sanitation: Coops must be regularly cleaned to control dust, odor and waste and must not become a nuisance, safety hazard, or health problem for neighboring properties.
- No slaughtering is allowed on the property.
- Feed storage: Chicken feed must be kept in a resealable, airtight, metal, ratproof container to avoid attracting rodents.
- Permit: One backyard-chicken permit is issued per household/parcel for a $30 fee, obtained in person at the Development Services Center, 385 Kimbark St.
- Other fowl: Ducks, geese, turkeys, quail and pigeons are not permitted in non-agricultural zoning districts.
- Animals that attack a chicken that has left the keeper's property are not automatically deemed "aggressive animals"; it is the chicken keeper's sole responsibility to keep their birds contained.
Keeping a flock happy in Longmont
🌡️ Climate
USDA Hardiness Zone 5b/6a (semi-arid High Plains/Front Range climate)
Longmont sits at roughly 5,000 ft elevation along Colorado's Front Range, with a semi-arid climate featuring cold, snowy winters (occasional sub-zero nights), hot, dry summers, intense high-altitude sun, and strong seasonal winds. Coops should be insulated and draft-free for winter while still providing ventilation and shade for summer heat.
🦝 Who's after your hens
Front Range backyards commonly see red-tailed hawks and other raptors, red foxes, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, and weasels, all of which can threaten unsecured flocks. A fully enclosed, predator-proof run with hardware cloth (not chicken wire) buried around the perimeter and a secure, covered top is strongly recommended.
🐔 Breeds that do well here
Wyandotte, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Orpington, Rhode Island Red, Chantecler (cold-hardy, dual-purpose breeds suited to Colorado's temperature swings)
Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.
Questions people ask about Longmont
▸How many chickens can I keep in Longmont?
Up to four chicken hens per parcel are allowed under the city ordinance.
▸Are roosters allowed in Longmont?
No. Roosters are prohibited in any zoning district that is not zoned agricultural.
▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Longmont?
Yes. A city permit is required for every backyard chicken coop, with one permit issued per household, for a $30 fee, available at the Development Services Center (385 Kimbark St.).
▸How far must my coop be from my property line?
Coops must be set back at least 6 feet from any other structure and at least 6 feet from any side or rear property line, unless the coop pre-dates Feb. 1, 2009 and the abutting neighbor has agreed in writing to a closer setback.
▸Can my hens roam freely in my yard?
Generally no — hens must stay within the coop and run, unless the keeper has written permission from every abutting property owner to allow free-ranging.
City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Longmont or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 17, 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.
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