Manitou Springs, CO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl at large
- Unlawful under § 7.02.030
- Fowl/rabbit shelter
- 4 sq ft per animal minimum
- Fowl/rabbit cap
- 10 per premises (age 4+ months)
- Livestock
- Cattle/sheep/swine/goats banned citywide
- Goat exception
- Max 5 working goats, CSA/crop farm only
- Waste removal
- Every 3-7 days into fly-tight containers
Summary
Domestic fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys may be kept in Manitou Springs, but not left to roam at large, and their shelters must provide at least four square feet per bird with a hard cap of ten fowl or rabbits per premises. Cattle, sheep, swine and goats are banned citywide except working goats on a licensed CSA or crop farm.
It is unlawful to keep or maintain livestock (cattle, sheep, swine or goats) within this city except: A.Work goats may be permitted and housed on a CSA farm or a crop production farm. At no time shall the number of working goats exceed five. The working goats must be located within a secure and enclosed shelter during the overnight hours. ... B.Goats shall not be permitted as pets within the city of Manitou Springs and only permitted for work on a CSA or crop production farm. ... Any shelter provided for rabbits or domestic fowl shall contain an area of at least four-square feet for each rabbit or fowl. An adequate area outside the shelter must be provided for any rabbits or fowl. The maximum number of rabbits or fowl maintained on a premises shall not exceed ten each of the age of four months or older.
Full Breakdown
020. Goats can never be kept as pets under subsection B, only as working animals on a qualifying farm. 030 bars letting them run at large. 32. 010(A) require fecal waste removal every three to seven days into closed, fly-tight containers (the animal control officer can order more frequent removal), and manure or bedding from hoofed animals must be stored as far as reasonably possible from any dwelling or watercourse and hauled out at least every ten days.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock outside the CSA/crop-farm goat exception, letting fowl run at large, or exceeding the ten-bird/rabbit cap is a misdemeanor under Section 7.02.130 or 7.03.020, punishable under Section 1.01.100, and noncompliant premises can be declared a public nuisance and ordered abated by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Manitou Springs?
Can I keep goats as pets?
Are cows, sheep or pigs allowed in the city?
How often must I clean up after backyard fowl or rabbits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
How Manitou Springs compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Manitou Springs to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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