Overland Park, KS Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Roosters
- Banned under 3 acres
- Hens on 0.20-0.49 acre
- 3 maximum
- Hens on 1-3 acres
- 12 maximum
- Coop setbacks
- 10 ft side, 25 ft rear
- Permit
- Annual, inspection required
Summary
Overland Park allows backyard hens on residential lots of at least 0.20 acre under a permit issued by the City Clerk. Roosters are banned on any property under three acres, along with ducks, turkeys, geese, guineas, and peacocks.
Chicken means Gallus gallus domesticus of the female sex. This definition does not include male chickens or roosters, or other fowl, such as, but not limited to, peacocks, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks or waterfowl, all of which are not permitted under this Chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: latest section effective 1901-01-01).
Full Breakdown
OPMC Chapter 6.13, effective 2024, sets the rules. Hen counts scale with lot size: 3 hens on 0.20–0.49 acre, 6 hens on 0.50–0.99 acre, 12 hens on 1–3 acres, and no maximum or permit above 3 acres. Chickens are limited to residentially zoned lots of 0.20 acre or more with a detached single-family home or duplex, and only at the keeper's principal residence. Coops and runs must sit in a fenced rear yard, 10 feet from a side line and 25 feet from the rear line, capped at 200 square feet, with 10 square feet per bird. Animal Control inspects before the permit issues. Horses and other equines fall under OPMC 6.15: one per 20,000 square feet.
Violations & Fines
Each violation is a public offense under OPMC 1.12.010, up to $500 and six months, with every day a separate offense; permits can be revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep ducks or turkeys instead?
Can my HOA still say no?
Can I slaughter birds at home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Overland Park
How Overland Park compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Overland Park to another location·View the Kansas animal ordinances overview
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