Franklin County, KY Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

The Franklin County Fiscal Court sets these limits in the noted special conditions of the zoning chapter, § 155.089, note (2), which attaches to the permitted use table in § 155.085. Livestock, excluding non-crowing chickens, is allowed only on lots over five acres. All other poultry must be kept on tracts or lots of at least five acres. Non-crowing chickens get a separate track: they can be kept on smaller tracts inside a fence or structure of sufficient height and construction to keep the birds from leaving the owner's property.

On tracts or lots under one and one-half acres, no fence, corral, chicken coop or similar enclosure can stand within 15 feet of any side or rear property line or within 50 feet of any front property line. No poultry of any kind is allowed on a tract or lot under 0.75 acre. For lots under five acres the number of non-crowing chickens follows the printed table: 2 on 0.75 to 1.5 acres, 3 on 1.51 to 2.5 acres, 4 on 2.51 to 3.5 acres, and 5 on 3.51 to 4.99 acres.

The note also carries two exceptions. A student enrolled in a supervised agricultural experience (SAE), living on a property of at least 0.75 acres and holding written documentation from the instructor, can keep up to 5 non-crowing chickens for the duration of the class, after which the flock must conform to the table. An owner who has kept chickens for at least 6 months, and the family of a student who completed an SAE of less than 6 months, can ask the Board of Zoning Adjustments for a conditional use permit to exceed the table maximum. This code applies in unincorporated Franklin County. Frankfort has its own code.