Boulder County Land Use Code 4-516.E allows accessory chicken keeping by right in the agricultural and residential-agricultural zones. Building lots in the Suburban Residential (SR) district may keep up to eight hens; roosters are prohibited in SR. Larger zones use an animal-units-per-acre limit.
Under BCLUC Article 4-516.E, keeping chickens is an agricultural use permitted by right in the F, A, RR, ER, SR, LI, GI, and MI districts. In the F, A, RR, ER, LI, GI, and MI zones the maximum number of birds is set by the animal units allowed in that district (50 chickens equal one animal unit). SR lots are capped at eight hens and roosters are banned there. Chicken coops are Accessory Agricultural Structures under Article 17-300.A, so a coop may need a building permit. In the four residential districts (RR, ER, SR, multi-family) a resident may keep up to four weaned animals. This is COUNTY code for unincorporated land; cities set their own hen rules.
Exceeding hen limits, keeping a rooster in SR, or exceeding animal-units density is a Land Use Code violation enforced by Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting. Zoning enforcement can order removal of excess or prohibited animals and may require a
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