Columbia, MO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max flock
- 6 female chickens per tract
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Coop setback
- 10 ft from line, 25 ft from dwelling
- Manure storage cap
- 3 cubic feet, covered
- Commercial use
- Breeding or fertilizer sales prohibited
Summary
Columbia, Missouri allows up to six hens, no roosters, per tract of land, with enclosures set back at least 25 feet from a neighbor's dwelling in this Boone County city.
The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. Only female chickens are allowed. There is no restriction on chicken species.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5, Article V of Columbia's animal code caps chicken flocks at six hens per tract of land, regardless of how many dwellings sit on it, and bans roosters outright: only female chickens are allowed (§ 5-91). Henhouses, chicken tractors and pens must sit in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from the property line and 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling, church, school or business (§ 5-93). Chicken-related odor and noise can't be perceptible at the property line (§ 5-94), manure storage is capped at three cubic feet in a covered structure (§ 5-97), and commercial breeding or fertilizer production is banned (§ 5-92).
Violations & Fines
Keeping chickens outside these limits is unlawful under § 5-99; property owners who allow noncompliant coops on rented property face the same citation, and each day of a continuing violation is a separate offense under § 5-101.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Columbia, Missouri?
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
How Columbia compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Columbia to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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