Little Rock, AR Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken coop floor space
- 3 sq ft per bird over 4 months
- Setback from owner's house
- At least 5 feet
- Setback from neighbor's house
- At least 25 feet
- Hoofed livestock setback
- 300 feet from other residences
- Permit required
- No permit needed
Summary
Little Rock lets residents keep backyard chickens, rabbits, and other small fowl citywide with no permit, but coops must meet minimum floor-space rules and stay at least 5 feet from the owner's house and 25 feet from a neighbor's.
Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and fowl, such as chickens, guineas, turkeys and the like may be kept within the city limits, subject to the following provisions:
(1)All such animals must be provided with adequate housing. Floor space in such houses shall be in accordance with the following minimum requirements:a.For rabbits, four (4) square feet per animal over four (4) months of age.b.For turkeys, four (4) square feet per animal over four (4) months of age.c.For chickens and similar fowl, three (3) square feet per bird over four (4) months of age.d.For bantams, three (3) square feet per bird over four (4) months of age. Provisions of this section do not apply to pea fowl or ducks.
(2)All pens or yards where such animals are kept shall be placed the following minimum distances from any business establishment or any residence other than that of the owner of same:a.Rabbits, ten (10) feet.b.All other animals referred to in paragraph (1) of this section, twenty-five (25) feet; provided, however, that chickens or similar fowls must be kept at least five (5) feet from owner's residence as well as twenty-five (25) feet from the house of the nearest neighbor. (Ord. No. 18,668, § 3, 4-2-02; Ord. No. 18,959, § 4, 10-7-03)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 6-44 permits rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, guineas, and turkeys within city limits without a permit, but sets minimum housing space -- three square feet per chicken over four months old -- and setback rules: chicken pens must sit at least 5 feet from the owner's own house and 25 feet from a neighbor's residence. Ducks and peafowl are exempt from the space rule. Larger hoofed livestock like cows, goats, horses, and pot-bellied pigs (Sec. 6-43) must be kept at least 300 feet from any other residence or business, and letting chickens or livestock run loose is a separate violation under Sec. 6-48.
Violations & Fines
Keeping chickens or fowl closer than 5 feet from your own house or 25 feet from a neighbor's, providing inadequate coop space, or letting chickens run at large under Sec. 6-48 are code violations subject to citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Little Rock?
How many chickens can I keep in Little Rock?
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
How Little Rock compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Little Rock to another location·View the Arkansas animal ordinances overview
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