Greene County, MO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken animal-unit value
- 0.06 AU per chicken
- Residential lots under 2.9 acres
- Zero AU: no chickens
- Residential 3-8 acre lots
- 1 AU per lot (~16 birds)
- Enclosure setback (dense flocks)
- 50 feet from property lines
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine per day
Summary
In unincorporated Greene County, chickens count as 'small-sized domestic animals' allotted by an acreage-based animal-unit formula: zero allowed on residential tracts under 2.9 acres, more on larger lots. Springfield and other cities enforce separate codes.
Residential tracts (less than 2.9 acres) 0 AU Residential tracts (3-8 acres) 1 AU per lot Residential tracts (8.1 acres-19.9 acres) 1 AU per acre Agriculture tracts (less than 1 acre) 0 AU Agricultural tracts (1-3acres) 1.5 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (3.1-5 acres) 3.5 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (5.1-9.9 acres) 8 AU per lot Agricultural tracts (10 acres-19.9 acres) 1 AU per acre
2. Animal units allowed on operations twenty (20) acres or greater shall follow normal agriculture production practices.
E. Enclosure Setbacks
1. Enclosures for animals may be required to be set back from all property lines if the density of enclosed animals exceeds the following:
a. All Large Sized Animals enclosed in an area with a density exceeding 0.005 AU per square foot must be set back from all property lines a distance of one hundred (100) feet.
b. All Medium Size Animals enclosed in an area with a density exceeding 0.003 AU per square foot must be set back from all property lines a distance of fifty (50) feet.
c. All Small Sized Animals enclosed indoors in an area with a density exceeding 0.0015 AU per square foot must be set back from all property lines a distance of fifty (50) feet.
2. Any enclosure which exceeds the preceding densities may not be located in a front or side yard on tracts less than five (5) acres.
3. The outdoor or indoor enclosure for a commercial or private kennel must be set back from all property lines a
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Greene County's zoning code classifies chickens as 'small-sized domestic animals' under Article IV, Section 23, converting each bird to 0.06 animal units (AU) for site capacity. Residential tracts under 2.9 acres get zero AU: no chickens allowed. Tracts of 3-8 acres get 1 AU per lot, about 16 birds; agricultural tracts scale from 1.5 AU on 1-3 acres to 8 AU on 5.1-9.9 acres. Enclosures exceeding 0.0015 AU per square foot need a 50-foot setback, and manure piles need a 100-foot setback from lot lines and water. Commercial flocks require a Home Occupation Permit. Springfield, Republic, Willard, Strafford, Ash Grove, and Battlefield have their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Greene County's Resource Management Department and County Counselor enforce Section 23; violating any zoning provision is a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens on a small lot in unincorporated Greene County?
Do these chicken rules apply inside Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greene County
How Greene County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Greene County to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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