Aurora, CO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from Housing & Community Services
- Roosters
- Prohibited citywide
- Max hens, lots under 20,000 sq ft
- 6 hens
- Coop setback
- 15 feet from property lines
- Coop size cap
- 120 square feet
Summary
Aurora, Colorado allows hens and ducks, never roosters, on residential lots under a paid permit from Housing and Community Services, with coop size, setback, and confinement rules set by City Code § 14-134.
In those zoning districts where the keeping of livestock is not otherwise allowed, the keeping of chickens and/or ducks is permitted, subject to the following requirements and all other applicable provisions of this Code:
(1) The chicken or duck owner must obtain and maintain a permit from the director of housing and community services department, or such director's designee, and pay a one-time permit fee established by the director of housing and community services department in accordance with section 2-587;
(2) The keeping of roosters is prohibited; only chicken hens or ducks are permitted.
(3) Chicken hens and/or ducks may be kept in the following numbers:
a. On single-family residential properties upon lots less than 20,000 square feet in size, up to six chickens; or a minimum of two ducks but no more than two ducks with no more than four chickens; and
b. On all single-family residential properties upon lots of 20,000 or more square feet in size, up to eight chickens; or a minimum of two ducks with no more than six chickens; or three ducks with no more than five chickens; or a maximum of four ducks with no more than four chickens.
c. No single-family residential property duck owner shall have less than two ducks.
(4) The chicken hens and ducks must be provided with a covered, appropriate predator-resistant bird coop that is:
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-30, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Aurora City Code § 14-134 lets residential property owners keep chicken hens and/or ducks in zoning districts where livestock generally isn't allowed, but requires a permit from the director of housing and community services under § 14-135. Roosters are banned citywide (§ 14-134(f)). Lots under 20,000 sq ft may keep up to six hens or two ducks plus four hens; larger lots may keep up to eight hens or combinations up to four ducks and four hens. Coops must sit in a fenced rear yard, 15+ feet from neighboring property lines, sized 2 sq ft per bird and capped at 120 sq ft, with birds locked in from dusk to dawn. HOA covenants can still override the city permit.
Violations & Fines
Keeping roosters, exceeding the hen/duck caps, skipping the permit, or violating coop setback and confinement rules is a code violation; the permit can be revoked and the owner cited under City Code § 1-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Aurora, Colorado?
How many chickens can I keep in Aurora?
Are roosters allowed in Aurora?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
How Aurora compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle chickens & livestock.