Twin Falls, ID Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Two sections of Chapter 3 (Animals) in Title 6 of the Twin Falls City Code set the rules. Section 6-3-1 is a flat ban: it is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any pigs, hogs, or rooster chickens within the corporate limits of the City. Section 6-3-4 then requires a permit from the Code Enforcement Coordinator to keep horses, mules, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, poultry (more than 4 hen chickens) or rabbits (more than 3 rabbits). Four hens or three rabbits need no permit.

For poultry or more than three rabbits, subsection (A) requires at least five thousand (5,000) square feet of real property for each twenty five (25) fowl, or for more than three and up to twenty five rabbits, and the run or enclosure can never sit closer than forty feet (40') to a dwelling other than the applicant's. The City Council can grant a variance from the 5,000 square foot minimum at the applicant's request. Livestock is stricter: one cow, horse or llama needs at least one acre with ten thousand (10,000) square feet of pasture devoted exclusively to each animal, and one sheep, goat or alpaca needs one half acre with five thousand (5,000) square feet each. Each animal needs a three-sided roofed shelter kept at least forty (40) feet from the house of any adjoining homeowners, and fences must keep animals off neighboring property.

The permit process is demanding. Under Section 6-3-8 the applicant petitions every household within three hundred feet (300') and needs approval from seventy five percent (75%) of them, and the Chief of Police or designee must recommend the permit. Fees follow the city's Master Fee Schedule under Section 6-3-5. A denial can be appealed to the City Council within seven (7) days under Section 6-3-9. Section 6-3-7 requires pens to be kept clean and free from obnoxious odors, and forbids noise, odor or damage that disturbs neighbors. Premises are open for inspection at all times, and a violation gets a written notice with twenty four (24) hours to abate before the Chief of Police recommends revocation under Section 6-3-10. Areas annexed into the city get a two (2) year grace period under Section 6-3-12.