Lafayette Parish, LA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Coop setback
- 25 feet from occupied buildings
- Livestock pen setback
- 75 feet from occupied buildings
- City-limit livestock minimum lot
- Two acres required
- Territorial reach
- City of Lafayette and unincorporated parish
- Running at large
- Prohibited for fowl, rabbits, livestock
Summary
Chickens, ducks and other fowl are legal across the City of Lafayette and unincorporated parish under Sec. 10-191, but must stay penned in a coop set back 25 feet from any occupied building and kept sanitary.
It shall be the duty of every person raising or keeping chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, pigeons or other fowl ... to keep them in a pen, coop or enclosure. Such pen, coop or enclosure shall be constructed in such manner that the fowl shall be confined within such pen, coop or enclosure at all times. Such pen, coop or enclosure shall be at a distance of at least 25 feet from any and every building or structure used for sleeping, dining, living or working, shall be kept in a sanitary condition at all times.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code Sec. 10-191 lets residents raise chickens, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks, pigeons and rabbits anywhere the Code applies, both the City of Lafayette and the unincorporated parish, but bars letting them run at large. Fowl and rabbits must stay in a pen, coop or enclosure kept at least 25 feet from any building used for sleeping, dining, living or working, held sanitary, and kept from becoming offensive to neighbors. Livestock (cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, goats) is separately regulated under Secs. 10-212 and 10-213: pens need a 75-foot setback, and inside city limits the lot must be at least two acres. Broussard, Carencro, Scott, Youngsville, Duson and Milton are separate municipalities not covered by this code.
Violations & Fines
Letting fowl, rabbits or livestock run at large, keeping a coop or pen closer than 25 feet (fowl) or 75 feet (livestock) to a home, or keeping livestock on a city lot under two acres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in the City of Lafayette?
Can I keep goats or horses on my property in town?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
How Lafayette Parish compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana animal ordinances overview
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