Fayetteville, AR Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hens
- 4, up to 20 by lot size
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Coop Setback
- 25 ft from neighbor home
- Coop Space
- 3 sq ft per bird
- Livestock
- R-A zoning only
Summary
Fayetteville allows female chickens and ducks, no roosters: four on lots up to 5,000 sq ft, scaling to a maximum of 20 on larger lots. Coops sit 25 feet from a neighbor's home. Traditional livestock is barred outside agricultural zoning.
Allowed fowl shall include ducks and/or female chickens only. No roosters shall be allowed. All fowl shall be a breed that cannot fly or must be wing-clipped to prevent flight.
(2) The principal use of the property shall be educational or single-family residential.
(3) A maximum of four (4) fowl shall be allowed on lots 5,000 square feet and smaller. For lots larger than 5,000 square feet, one (1) additional fowl shall be allowed for every additional 1,250 square feet, up to a maximum number of twenty (20) fowl.
(4) There shall be no outside slaughtering of fowl.
(5) Fowl shall be provided with sufficient good and wholesome food and water.
(6) All fowl shall have a coop/roost that is constructed with a minimum area of 3 square feet per fowl and during daylight hours fowl shall have access to a secure enclosure/yard that is adequately fenced to protect them from predators. The coop/roost shall be kept in the side or rear yard, and is not permitted in the front yard area.
(7) The coop/roost structure shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any residential structure on an adjacent lot, and shall meet the building setbacks of the underlying zoning district.
(8) The coop/roost structure shall be well ventilated and provide protection from the weather and predators. The coop/roost area must be kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, and must be cleaned on a regular basis so as to prevent offensive odors,
Full Breakdown
Under UDC Sec. 164.04, hens and ducks (no roosters; birds must be flightless or wing-clipped) are legal at single-family or educational properties. Lots 5,000 sq ft and under may keep four fowl; larger lots add one bird per extra 1,250 sq ft, up to a maximum of 20. Coops need 3 sq ft per bird, a predator-proof run, side- or rear-yard placement, and must sit at least 25 feet from an adjacent home. Bees and female dwarf or pygmy goats are separately allowed under the same section, and a June 2026 amendment (Ord. 7005) also permits sheep. Horses, cattle, and swine remain limited to R-A agricultural zoning.
Violations & Fines
Roosters, excess birds, front-yard coops, or unsanitary conditions violate Sec. 164.04 and Chapter 92. Penalties run up to $500 per offense (minimum $50), with up to $250 per day for continuing violations. Illegal fowl are not grandfathered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Fayetteville?
Are goats or sheep allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
How Fayetteville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Fayetteville to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle chickens & livestock.