South Jordan, UT Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chickens allowed
- Up to 6 per lot
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Minimum lot size
- 10,000 sq ft
- Coop setback
- 40 ft from neighbor's home
- Permit
- Required, one-time
Summary
South Jordan allows up to six chickens per residential lot of at least 10,000 square feet for family food production, bans roosters, and requires a City permit and coop setbacks.
Number And Type Of Chickens Allowed: Up to six (6) chickens per residential lot may be kept for the purpose of family food production. The keeping of roosters in Residential Zones is expressly prohibited, including on properties zoned R-1.8 that qualify under Section 17.130.040, "Farm Animal Floating Zone," of this Chapter. Coop Size And Location: The size, height, and location of chicken coops shall be adequate to house the number of chickens on the property and shall meet the requirements for accessory buildings in the underlying zone, including setbacks and rear lot coverage. In addition to the residential accessory building requirements, chicken coops (or the portion of a larger accessory structure used for the raising of chickens) shall be located at least ten feet (10') from the on site dwelling, five feet (5') from the property line of an adjoining neighbor, and forty feet (40') from a dwelling on an adjoining property. Chicken Care And Maintenance Guidelines: The raising of residential chickens and egg production shall be done in such a way that the use is clearly subordinate to the residential character of the property with no significant impacts or nuisances being created for the residential neighborhood in general and adjoining property owners in particular.
Full Breakdown
Under the Residential Chickens Overlay Zone, South Jordan lets homeowners on P-C and Residential (R) zoned lots of at least 10,000 square feet keep up to six chickens for family food production; roosters are prohibited citywide, even on qualifying R-1.8 lots. A one-time chicken permit and a scaled plot plan from the Planning Department are required, and coops must sit at least 10 feet from the home, 5 feet from a side property line, and 40 feet from a neighbor's dwelling. Larger livestock (goats, sheep, horses, and similar farm animals) instead falls under a separate points-based Farm Animal Floating Zone requiring at least a half-acre lot in the A-5, A-1, or R-1.8 zone.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Department can revoke a chicken permit for noncompliance, and nuisance complaints are treated as prima facie violations, putting the burden on the owner to resolve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in South Jordan?
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Jordan
How South Jordan compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare South Jordan to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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