Lakeville, MN Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max chickens per property
- 6, raised from 3 by Ord. 1126
- Roosters
- Prohibited outright
- Permit required
- Administrative permit, City Code ch. 8
- Coop size
- 2 sq ft per bird, 32 sq ft max
- Setback
- 20 feet from any lot line, rear yard only
- Egg sales
- Personal use only, sales prohibited
Summary
In the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, keeping backyard chickens requires an administrative permit under City Code chapter 8 and section 11-35-3.C. Ordinance 1126, adopted August 3, 2026, raised the cap to six chickens per property, banned roosters, and requires the birds be kept in a coop with an outdoor exercise area at all times.
b. Chickens: (1) The maximum number of chickens allowed to be kept on a property shall be (6) chickens. (2) The keeping of roosters is prohibited. (3) Chickens shall be kept within a coop and outdoor exercise area at all times. ... The keeping of chickens (defined as fowl of the genus Gallus and species Gallus domesticus) may be allowed upon a property developed with a single-family dwelling within a residential zoning district subject to approval of an administrative permit in accordance with chapter 8 of this title and the provisions of this section. ... The coop and run shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from any lot line.
Full Breakdown
Chickens are allowed only on a property with a single-family dwelling in a residential zoning district, and only after the owner obtains an administrative permit processed under City Code chapter 8 and section 11-35-3.C. The application must state the number of chickens and include a scaled sketch plan and construction specifications for the coop and run. Ordinance 1126, section 24, amended the chicken count and now caps a property at six chickens; roosters remain prohibited outright. The coop must provide a minimum of two square feet of interior floor space per bird, cannot exceed 32 square feet total, and its exterior finish must be wood suited to outdoor use, painted metal, or a composite weather-resistant material under section 11-35-3.C.2.c(2), also updated by Ordinance 1126.
The attached run must be fully enclosed with fencing, wire mesh or netting, sized between five and twenty square feet per bird. Both the coop and run may sit only in a rear yard, set back at least twenty feet from any lot line, and clear of any drainage and utility easement. Chickens must be confined inside the coop from sunset to sunrise, feed must be stored in a sealed, vermin-proof container, and waste must be removed regularly rather than composted or buried on site.
Eggs may be kept for personal use only; selling eggs, breeding chickens, or slaughtering them on a residential lot is prohibited, and the permit is non-transferable if the property changes hands.
Violations & Fines
The Zoning Administrator and community service officers inspect permitted coops for compliance with section 11-35-3.C and may revoke a permit found in violation. Because the permit does not transfer with a sale, a new owner keeping chickens without reapplying is unpermitted. Under City Code section 1-4-1, any violation of the Code is a misdemeanor punishable up to the state maximum fine for misdemeanor offenses, and section 1-4-1-1 treats each day an unpermitted coop, an unpermitted rooster, or an over-limit flock continues as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just start keeping chickens in Lakeville?
How many chickens can I keep at my Lakeville home?
Can I sell eggs from my backyard chickens?
How far from my property line does the coop have to be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakeville
How Lakeville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Lakeville to another location·View the Minnesota animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.