Mesa County, CO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

3 treats domestic livestock keeping as an accessory use measured in animal units. On parcels designated for urban land use that are one-half acre or larger, livestock is allowed with pens and corrals set back at least 50 feet from rear and side lines adjacent to an existing residential use (the Director can approve up to a 30% reduction if that setback makes the lot unbuildable). For the much more common small urban lot, subsection (1) sets specific chicken and rabbit rules for parcels under one-half acre: no more than six chickens or six rabbits over two months old, in any combination, per dwelling unit, with no other livestock or fowl permitted; a property with an accessory dwelling unit gets a second allotment of up to six animals for that unit, for a maximum of twelve total on the property.

No roosters are allowed anywhere. Chickens and rabbits are barred entirely on duplex or multi-family properties. All animals must be confined by fence, cage or pen with appropriate shelter, kept at least 20 feet from rear and side property lines where an adjoining lot has an existing residence, and cannot be confined in the front setback area at all. Coops and hutches must be kept clean enough to avoid offensive odor and health issues, and feed has to be stored in animal-proof containers to deter vermin.

Rural-designated properties instead use a 100-foot separation between livestock pens and any dwelling on an adjacent lot (in either direction), and any parcel under 10 acres must keep all livestock confined so it cannot run at large. Table 6-2 sets allowed animal units per acre by district (for example, three animal units per acre in most urban districts over half an acre, four in RSF-R and Rural districts under 10 acres).