Backyard Chickens in West Valley City, Utah

Can you keep chickens in West Valley City?

Thinking about keeping backyard hens in West Valley City, Utah? The city permits hens as household pets in every residential zone, subject to its citywide 4-pet cap and a rooster ban — while larger flocks (and even roosters) are possible on Agricultural-zoned land under the city's animal-point system.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. West Valley City's Municipal Code allows female chickens (hens) to be kept as "Household Pets" in all residential zones citywide (§ 23-3-107; § 7-2-122). Unless a property sits in an Agricultural Zone, chickens are capped as part of the city's overall 4-pet household limit, and roosters and "crowing hens" are expressly banned from being kept as Household Pets (§ 23-3-107(4); § 7-2-122(4)).

Properties zoned Agricultural are treated differently: poultry-keeping there is a Permitted Use governed by an "Animal Points" system rather than the 4-pet cap, allowing far larger flocks, and that section does allow roosters/crowing hens if enough points are allocated (§ 7-6-205).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 4
Roosters: conditional
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: 40 ft.

Peggy knows West Valley City

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Standard residential zones: Household Pets (which include female chickens) are limited to no more than four animals per address, including no more than two cats, no more than two dogs, and no more than two pot-bellied pigs (§ 23-3-107(5); § 7-2-122(5)) — meaning a household could keep up to 4 hens if it has no other capped pets. Roosters and crowing hens may not be kept in these zones at all (§ 23-3-107(4)).

Agricultural Zones: Poultry-keeping is instead regulated by an animal-point system: the maintenance and keeping of livestock on a Lot in an Agricultural Zone as a Permitted Use shall be limited to a total of 200 Animal points per acre, with fractional amounts of land receiving a prorated point allowance (§ 7-6-205(3)). Chickens count as "Small sized adults" worth one point per Animal, while roosters and crowing hens shall cost 20 points each (§ 7-6-205(3)(c)-(d)) — so roosters ARE allowed here, just at a much higher point cost. In these zones, all Structures or enclosures for the keeping of Animals, including but not limited to barns, Kennels, corrals, stables, and coops, shall be located at least 40 feet from any dwelling, or 100 feet from any public street if no dwelling exists (§ 7-6-205(1)-(2)).

No permit is required to keep chickens within the standard 4-pet household limit; the city's only related permit ("Pet Exception Permit," § 23-3-108) applies solely to dogs and cats exceeding normal limits, not to chickens.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in West Valley City

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6b/7a — Cold Semi-Arid / Continental

West Valley City sits in Utah's Salt Lake Valley, with cold, often snowy winters (lows regularly in the teens °F) and hot, dry summers (highs frequently in the 90s°F). Coops should be insulated and wind-blocked for winter while also providing shade and ventilation for summer heat.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteSkunk

The Salt Lake Valley's mix of urban and undeveloped land near the Oquirrh and Wasatch foothills means backyard flocks face raccoons, skunks, and hawks year-round, with coyotes and foxes also present, especially near open space, canals, and greenbelt areas. Secure, covered runs and hardware-cloth (not chicken wire) enclosures are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Easter Egger

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

Questions people ask about West Valley City

▸Can I keep a rooster in West Valley City?

Not in standard residential zones — roosters and crowing hens cannot be kept as Household Pets (§ 23-3-107(4)). On Agricultural-zoned property, roosters can be kept as part of the animal-point system, but each rooster or crowing hen costs 20 Animal points, versus 1 point for a regular hen (§ 7-6-205(3)).

▸How many chickens can I keep on a typical residential lot?

Household Pets, including hens, are capped at a combined total of four animals per address (which also includes any cats, dogs, or pot-bellied pigs), per § 23-3-107(5) and § 7-2-122(5).

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens?

No permit is required to keep chickens within the standard 4-pet household limit. The city's only pet-related permit, the Pet Exception Permit (§ 23-3-108), applies only to dogs and cats exceeding normal limits.

▸Are the rules different if my property is zoned Agricultural?

Yes. In Agricultural Zones, poultry-keeping is governed by an Animal Points system rather than the 4-pet cap, allowing up to 200 points per acre (chickens = 1 point each), and any coop or enclosure must be set back at least 40 feet from a dwelling (§ 7-6-205).

▸Is there a required setback distance for a coop?

The Municipal Code specifies a 40-foot setback from any dwelling for animal-keeping structures in Agricultural Zones (§ 7-6-205(1)); standard residential-zone Household Pet rules do not list a separate numeric setback for hen coops.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with West Valley City or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 13, 2026.