Backyard Chickens in Wichita, Kansas

Can you keep chickens in Wichita?

Thinking about raising backyard chickens in Wichita? The city allows a small flock without any paperwork and lets you scale up to a dozen hens with an inexpensive annual permit — just leave the roosters out of the plan.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, keeping hens is legal in Wichita. Under Sec. 6.04.157 of the Code of the City of Wichita, a resident may keep up to 3 fowl without a permit. Anyone wishing to keep more than 3 fowl must obtain an Animal Maintenance Permit, which allows up to 12 fowl total (25 for pigeons) per residence (§ 6.04.157(b), Table 1). No more than three different kinds of domestic animals may be kept at one address without a permit/variance (§ 6.04.157(b)).

Roosters are not permitted. The City's official Animal Maintenance Permit guidance states that 'male goats, roosters, guinea cocks, peacocks or hogs are not allowed' within city limits.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 12
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $25
Setback from property line: 10 ft.

Peggy knows Wichita

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Up to 3 fowl (hens, ducks, etc.) may be kept with no permit; 4 or more fowl (up to a 12-bird maximum) require a City of Wichita Animal Maintenance Permit issued by the Chief of Police/Animal Services (§ 6.04.157).
The permit costs $25/year and must be renewed annually; no more than three different kinds of domestic animals may be maintained at one residence without a permit.
Roosters, along with male goats, guinea cocks, peacocks and hogs, are specifically prohibited city-wide.
Per the City's Animal Maintenance Permit guidance, enclosures for smaller animals (which includes fowl) must be at least 10 feet from the property line if the enclosure is located within 50 feet of an adjacent dwelling; larger-animal enclosures must be 200 feet from adjacent dwellings and 20 feet from the property line, and all stables, coops and pens must also comply with the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code.
Permit applicants must show that birds will be kept in a safe, clean, and sanitary manner, that the coop will be adequately lighted/ventilated and easy to keep sanitary, and that keeping the birds will not create noise, odor, or nuisance issues for neighbors (§ 6.04.157(b)(5)).
Sale or giveaway of baby chicks/ducklings under two months of age, or of any fowl that has been artificially dyed or colored, is prohibited except by licensed hatchers/breeders (§ 6.04.040(f)(10)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Wichita

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7a (humid subtropical/continental transition)

Wichita has hot, humid summers (often 95°F+) and cold winters with occasional single-digit lows, plus strong prairie winds year-round. Coops should prioritize summer ventilation and shade as well as wind-blocking and insulation for winter.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSnake

Wichita's mix of urban and prairie-adjacent habitat means backyard flocks face raccoons and opossums raiding at night, hawks (including red-tailed hawks) during the day, rat snakes going after eggs, and coyotes on the city's outskirts. Secure, fully-enclosed runs with buried hardware cloth are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

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

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

Questions people ask about Wichita

▸How many chickens can I keep in Wichita without a permit?

You may keep up to 3 fowl (chickens, ducks, etc.) with no permit at all, per Sec. 6.04.157 of the Wichita Code.

▸What if I want more than 3 chickens?

You'll need a $25 annual Animal Maintenance Permit from the City, which allows up to 12 total fowl at one residence.

▸Are roosters allowed in Wichita?

No. The City's Animal Maintenance Permit rules specifically prohibit roosters, along with male goats, guinea cocks, peacocks, and hogs.

▸How far from my property line does my coop need to be?

Enclosures for smaller animals like chickens must be at least 10 feet from the property line if they're within 50 feet of a neighboring dwelling, and must also meet the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code.

▸Can I keep chickens along with dogs, cats, and rabbits?

No more than three different kinds of domestic animals may be kept at one residence without a permit, so combining several animal types (e.g., dogs, cats, and fowl) may itself require an Animal Maintenance Permit.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Wichita or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 3, 2026.