Las Cruces allows backyard poultry and small livestock with a special animal permit: lots under half an acre may keep up to six total small livestock animals, including chickens and ducks.
Under Section 7-32B of the 2025 Animal Control Ordinance, ducks, poultry, goats, sheep, and miniature horses count as small livestock. Lots under one-half acre may keep a combined maximum of six; larger lots allow 2,000 square feet per animal up to 100. Large livestock like horses and cattle need at least a half-acre. Livestock cannot occupy front, side, or street-side setbacks and must stay 35 feet from a neighboring dwelling. A special animal permit under Section 7-31 is required, and crowing or odor can be cited as a nuisance under Section 7-18.
Keeping animals without a special permit, exceeding the six-animal limit, or violating setbacks draws a correction warning or citation under Section 7-45, with each day a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Las Cruces's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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