Backyard Chickens in Shawnee, Kansas

Can you keep chickens in Shawnee?

Thinking about raising a small backyard flock in Shawnee, Kansas? The City allows up to 10 chickens per property with a Special Animal Permit, though roosters are off the table. Here's everything you need to know about coop setbacks, inspections, and fees before you bring home your first hens.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, backyard chickens are allowed in Shawnee, Kansas, but only with a Special Animal Permit issued by the City Clerk's office. The city's official regulations state that a Special Animal Permit is required to keep chickens, and other fowl, within city limits. A complete list of regulations is codified in Chapter 6.10 of the Shawnee Municipal Code.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 10
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $90
Setback from property line: 10 ft.

Peggy knows Shawnee

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Per the City of Shawnee's official Chicken Regulations:

Chicken coops, runs, and/or tractors must be at least 10 feet from the nearest property line and at least 40 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, or place of business.
Coops, runs, and tractors must be inspected by a Community Service Officer and receive written approval BEFORE chickens are obtained, and remain subject to inspection as needed to verify ongoing compliance.
Chickens must be kept in a clean, safe, and healthy environment at all times, and must be kept in a coop, chicken run, or chicken tractor at all times (no free-roaming).
Coops must be built with a minimum of 2 square feet per chicken, but the total structure cannot exceed 100 square feet.
Structures must be enclosed on all sides with a roof and doors; access doors must be able to be shut and locked, and any opening windows/vents must be covered with predator- and bird-proof wire with openings of less than one inch.
Construction must use sturdy wire or wooden fencing and durable materials; used/reclaimed materials, scrap, waste board, sheet metal, or similar materials are prohibited.
No more than 3 cubic feet of chicken waste may be maintained on-site as manure fertilizer, and the coop/run/tractor area must be kept free of trash and accumulated droppings. Owners must take action to reduce the attraction of predators and rodents.
General permit rules also apply: all neighbors within 200 feet of the property are notified of the permit application, applicants cannot have more than three valid animal complaints in the prior 12 months (or three valid violations in the prior 24 months), and homeowners' associations may impose their own additional restrictions.
Permits are valid for one calendar year (Jan 1–Dec 31); renewals must be submitted at least 25 days before expiration.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Shawnee

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6b

Shawnee, Kansas sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b (roughly -5°F to 0°F winter lows), with a change from 6a in older maps, meaning chicken keepers should plan for cold winters and hot, humid summers typical of the Kansas City metro area.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSnakeOpossumBobcatSkunkWeasel

Kansas is home to a wide range of chicken predators. Statewide wildlife data notes that the region has plenty of raccoons, skunks, foxes, snakes, and other mid-level predators, with coyotes and bobcats considered the most prominent predators in the state today. Hawks and owls are also common aerial threats to backyard flocks, making fully enclosed, roofed coops (as required by Shawnee's ordinance) especially important.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

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

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

Questions people ask about Shawnee

▸How many chickens can I keep in Shawnee, KS?

The City of Shawnee's official regulations state that no more than 10 chickens can be kept in the city per property.

▸Are roosters allowed in Shawnee?

No. The city's ordinance explicitly states that roosters are not allowed in the City.

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

Yes. A Special Animal Permit is required to keep chickens (and other fowl) in the city, issued by the City Clerk's office. The new permit fee is $90, with a $45 annual renewal fee, both non-refundable and non-prorated.

▸How far must a chicken coop be from property lines?

Coops, runs, and tractors must be at least 10 feet from the nearest property line and at least 40 feet from any adjacent residential dwelling, church, school, or place of business.

▸Does my coop need to be inspected?

Yes. Chicken coops, runs, and/or tractors must be inspected by a Community Service Officer and receive written approval during the permitting process before chickens are obtained, and are subject to ongoing inspections to verify compliance.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Shawnee or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 9, 2026.