Daviess County, KY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances Section 90.04(A)(1)
- Chicken limit
- Six or fewer female chickens
- Minimum lot size
- One-half acre or more
- Setback
- 50 feet from a neighbor's dwelling
- Commercial threshold
- Over 16 poultry animal units triggers Sections 90.50-90.52
Summary
Daviess County bars keeping livestock or a non-domestic animal on residential property under two acres within 100 feet of a neighbor's home, but Code of Ordinances Section 90.04(A)(1) carves out up to six female chickens on a half-acre or larger lot inside a secure, latched enclosure at least 50 feet from a neighboring dwelling.
No person shall keep or maintain livestock or a non-domestic animal on a residential property of less than two acres and within 100 feet of a dwelling not owned or occupied by the owner of the livestock or non-domestic animal. (1) Except an owner of at least one-half acre or more may keep six or fewer female chickens for personal, family, or home use in a fence or structure of sufficient height and construction to prevent the animal(s) from leaving the owner's property...Fence or structure must be at least 50 feet from a dwelling not owned or occupied by the owner of the chickens.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-20: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. KOC 520.3 (2025), passed 12-18-2025; and State legislation current through KRS Pamphlet 2025).
Full Breakdown
04(A) sets the baseline: no person shall keep or maintain livestock or a non-domestic animal on residential property of less than two acres and within 100 feet of a dwelling not owned or occupied by the animal's owner. Three exceptions follow. First, subsection (A)(1) lets an owner of at least one-half acre keep six or fewer female chickens for personal, family or home use, provided they are kept in a fence or structure of sufficient height and construction to prevent escape, the owner keeps that fence or structure in good repair with properly fitted, latched gates or doors, and the enclosure sits at least 50 feet from a dwelling the chicken owner does not own or occupy.
Second, subsection (A)(2) allows raising and breeding homing or racing pigeons, with lofts and bins meeting planning and zoning rules and staying at least 50 feet from a neighbor's dwelling. Third, subsection (A)(3) permits keeping domestic small animals other than dogs and cats under the same 50-foot, secure-enclosure and good-repair conditions. 04, not the commercial poultry chapter.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 90.04's residential livestock or chicken-keeping limits is punished under Section 90.99(B)(2) with a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $500 where no other penalty applies, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense. An Animal Control Officer may issue a disturbance notice under Section 90.14(A)(2) before citing the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Daviess County?
Are roosters allowed under the backyard chicken exception?
What triggers the commercial poultry operation rules instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daviess County
How Daviess County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Daviess County to another location·View the Kentucky animal ordinances overview
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