Cheyenne, WY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- General livestock/bird/primate ban
- citywide except agricultural zones
- Chicken exception
- up to 6 female chickens, no roosters
- Chicken coop cap
- 60 sq ft, 7 ft max height
- Neighbor consent required
- all adjacent lot owners/residents, in writing
- Goats allowed only
- under city weed/pest-control contract
Summary
Cheyenne bans keeping or slaughtering livestock, birds and nonhuman primates citywide, with narrow carve-outs for up to six female chickens and permitted weed-control goats.
Except as provided by this section or otherwise provided in this title, no person may keep or slaughter within the city any livestock, birds or nonhuman primates. The prohibition against the keeping of livestock, birds and nonhuman primates shall not apply to female chickens as provided under subsection (C) of this section, to goats used for weed and pest control purposes... or to properly licensed and permitted rodeos, fairs, circuses, carnivals, parades and other public exhibitions...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 73).
Full Breakdown
City Code 6.08.020 bars keeping or slaughtering livestock, birds, or nonhuman primates anywhere in Cheyenne. The only exceptions are female chickens (up to six per eligible single-family lot, with coop, fencing, and neighbor-consent rules) and goats under a city weed-and-pest-control contract. Male chickens are banned outright, and the general livestock ban does not apply in areas zoned agricultural or to livestock passing through for shipment or veterinary care.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock, male chickens, or unpermitted birds/primates in the city is a Code 6.08.020 violation; unpermitted female chickens or an unclipped/at-large chicken can be impounded and euthanized if unclaimed within two business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in my Cheyenne backyard?
Are roosters or farm animals like goats and pigs allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cheyenne
How Cheyenne compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Cheyenne to another location·View the Wyoming animal ordinances overview
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