Des Moines permits backyard hens with a city permit under Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code, but roosters and most livestock are prohibited inside city limits, with strict setback and coop standards enforced by Animal Control.
Under Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 6, residents may keep up to a limited number of female chickens (hens) at single-family homes after obtaining a permit from Animal Services. Roosters, ducks, geese, goats, pigs, and most other livestock are prohibited inside city limits except in agriculturally zoned parcels. Coops must be set back from property lines, kept sanitary, predator-proofed, and must not produce odors or noise affecting neighbors. Slaughtering on residential property is banned. Permits require neighbor notification and renewal, and violations can result in revocation, citations, and removal of the animals.
Keeping roosters, exceeding hen counts, raising livestock without ag zoning, failing to maintain coops, or operating without a permit are civil violations enforced by Animal Control with escalating fines.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines enforces a Blighted Structure Code under Chapter 60, Article III, authorizing the city to order repair, rehabilitation, or demolition of propertie...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines prohibits keeping animals that create excessive noise disturbing neighbors under Chapter 18 (Animals) and the noise control ordinance. Persistent ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines permits beekeeping on residential property with conditions. Hives must be registered with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship....
See how Des Moines's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.