Longmont allows up to 4 hens (no roosters) per residential lot under Ordinance O-2011-02, codified in LMC Title 7. A backyard chicken hen permit is required from Planning & Development Services; the city caps citywide permits at 50 active at any one time.
Ordinance O-2011-02 (approved Jan. 11, 2011, codified in LMC Title 7, with the 'Prohibited Keeping of Animals' standard for roosters at § 7.04.130) authorizes any resident in a residential zoning district — or a residential use in a non-residential zoning district — to keep backyard chickens with a city permit issued by Planning & Development Services at 385 Kimbark St. Limits: a maximum of 4 hens per property and zero roosters. The coop and run may be up to 7 feet in height and must be predator-proof. The coop must be located at least 6 feet from any other structure on the property and at least 6 feet from any side or rear property line (coops that existed before Feb. 1, 2009 may be grandfathered from the setback). A plot/sketch plan with setback dimensions, coop size, and coop location must be submitted with the application. The city caps total active permits at 50 citywide; once the cap is reached, new applications are placed on a waitlist. Permit fee is $30.00. Roosters are prohibited under LMC § 7.04.130 (Prohibited Keeping of Animals).
Operating without a permit, keeping more than 4 hens, keeping any rooster, or violating coop setbacks is a violation enforceable by Longmont Code Enforcement and Animal Control. Penalty up to $999 fine and/or 180 days jail under the Longmont Municipal Court general penalty.
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