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Lincoln, NE Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Chicken/fowl permit
Required over 3 per acre
Setback
50 ft from neighbor's residence
Roosters
Banned citywide (§ 6.04.041)
Swine
Banned citywide (§ 6.04.290)
Large animals
1 acre min, 1.5 ac if 3+

Summary

Lincoln requires a permit to keep chickens, fowl, rabbits, or large animals like horses and goats, caps how many you can keep by lot size, and bans roosters and swine outright.

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor small animals or fowl, without a permit, in numbers equal to or greater than the minimum provided in Table 6.04.040. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor small animals or fowl as follows: 1. In numbers greater than the maximum provided in Table 6.04.040; 2. Within pens, enclosures or shelters closer than fifty feet to a neighboring residence; or 3. Within pens, enclosures or shelters closer than five feet to a neighboring property line.

Source: Omaha Muni Code §6-55View official code

Full Breakdown

Keeping chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons, rabbits, or other small animals in Lincoln requires a permit once you exceed the minimums set in Table 6.04.040, for example, more than 3 chickens or 14 pigeons on a lot up to 1 acre, and caps the maximum you can keep regardless of permit. Pens must sit at least 50 feet from a neighboring residence and 5 feet from a property line. Large animals like horses and goats need a separate permit under § 6.04.030 and at least 1 acre. Roosters and swine are banned outright citywide under § 6.04.041 and § 6.04.290.

Violations & Fines

Keeping unpermitted or over-limit animals, roosters, or swine is a public nuisance and citation offense enforced by Animal Control; permits can be revoked or suspended for violations under Chapter 6.04.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep chickens in Lincoln without a permit?
Yes, up to the table minimum, 3 chickens or fewer on up to 1 acre, but any more requires a permit under § 6.04.040, and pens must stay 50 feet from a neighbor's residence.
Are roosters allowed in Lincoln?
No. Lincoln Municipal Code § 6.04.041 bans owning, keeping, or harboring live roosters citywide as a public nuisance, with narrow exceptions for government agencies, shelters, and licensed veterinarians.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lincoln

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All Lincoln rules

How Lincoln compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska animal ordinances overview

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