Backyard Chickens in Rogers, Arkansas

Can you keep chickens in Rogers?

Thinking about starting a flock in Rogers, Arkansas? The city allows up to four backyard hens per single-family home with a permit from Rogers Animal Services — but roosters are off the table. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found when we read the actual city rules.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard hens are legal in Rogers. Per the City's Code Enforcement / Animal Services guidance, "In a residential zone, a resident is allowed to have up to four hens (no roosters) after obtaining the proper permit from Rogers Animal Services" (Sec. 6-228 through 6-230, Rogers Code of Ordinances, Article V - Fowl). The enclosure housing the birds must be kept clean and sanitary, and slaughtering chickens within city limits is not permitted. A 2015 amendment relaxed the original 'coop-only' rule, allowing hens to roam a fully fenced (solid privacy-fence) backyard rather than staying confined to a coop at all times.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 25 ft.

Peggy knows Rogers

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Maximum of 4 hens per single-family dwelling in residential zones; roosters are prohibited city-wide.
A permit from Rogers Animal Services is required before keeping fowl (Sec. 6-228 through 6-230).
The fowl enclosure must be kept in a clean, sanitary condition.
Secondary sources describing the permit conditions indicate coops must sit at least 25 feet from the neighbor's residence and stand at least 2 feet above ground, and be located in the rear yard.
Since a 2015 City Council amendment, hens no longer must remain inside a coop at all times — they may roam the backyard as long as the yard is enclosed by a solid privacy-style fence.
On-site slaughtering of chickens is not permitted within city limits.
There is reportedly no separate annual fee tied to the permit itself, though compliance with space/coop standards is required to obtain and keep it.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Rogers

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7a

Rogers sits in the Ozark foothills of northwest Arkansas and falls in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, with average annual minimum temperatures between 0°F and 5°F. The area has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild-to-cool winters, so coops should offer both good ventilation for summer heat and reasonable wind/cold protection for occasional winter freezes.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSnakeOpossum

Backyard flocks in the Rogers/Ozark region commonly face raccoons, hawks, foxes, coyotes, snakes, and opossums. Since Rogers now allows hens to roam a fenced backyard rather than staying penned at all times, secure perimeter fencing, buried hardware cloth, and a lockable coop for overnight roosting are especially important to deter digging and climbing predators.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Plymouth Rock, Buff Orpington, Leghorn

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

Questions people ask about Rogers

▸Can I raise chickens or roosters in Rogers' city limits?

Yes for hens, no for roosters. The City states: "In a residential zone, a resident is allowed to have up to four hens (no roosters) after obtaining the proper permit from Rogers Animal Services" (Sec. 6-228 through 6-230).

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

Yes. A permit must be obtained from Rogers Animal Services before keeping fowl, and residents can contact Animal Services at (479) 621-1197 to apply or report a violation.

▸How many hens can I keep?

Up to four hens are allowed per single-family dwelling in residential zones under the city's fowl ordinance.

▸Can my chickens roam my backyard, or must they stay in a coop?

The City Council amended the ordinance in 2015 so that chickens no longer have to stay inside a coop at all times — they may roam the backyard as long as it is enclosed by a solid fence such as a privacy fence.

▸Can I slaughter chickens at my home in Rogers?

No. Slaughtering of chickens is not permitted within Rogers city limits under the fowl ordinance.

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