Under an ordinance adopted in October 2024, Woodbury allows hens only (no roosters) on properties in the R-1 (Urban Reserve) and R-2 (Single-family Estate) zoning districts. Three hens are allowed on lots of 0-3.99 acres, and one chicken per acre on properties of four acres or more. Typical city lots zoned R-4 still cannot keep chickens.
In October 2024 the City of Woodbury revised its code to allow the keeping of chickens on properties within the R-1, Urban Reserve District and the R-2, Single-family Estate District. The ordinance permits hens only; roosters are not allowed. The number of birds is tied to lot size: properties measuring 0 to 3.99 acres may keep up to three chickens (hens only) per property, and properties of four acres or more may keep one chicken per acre. A typical Woodbury city lot is zoned R-4 (Urban Residential) and still cannot keep chickens; the City Council indicated it would revisit the R-4 question in the future. The code defines a chicken coop as a structure and/or enclosure intended to house or contain chickens, and a chicken run attached to or within five feet of that housing is treated as part of the coop rather than a separate accessory building. Coops and any related fencing must be kept in good repair, and chickens may not be permitted to run at large. Before October 2024, chickens and other livestock were only allowed on properties of five acres or more in agricultural zoning, so this change opened limited backyard hen-keeping to large-lot residential zones. Property owners with chicken questions are directed to the city's Planning Division at 651-714-3533.
Keeping chickens on a lot in a non-permitted district (such as a typical R-4 city lot), keeping roosters, exceeding the per-lot/per-acre hen limit, or allowing chickens to run at large violates the city ordinance. Enforcement and permitting questions go to the Planning Division at 651-714-3533.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
woodbury-mn
Backyard composting is allowed in Woodbury and is one of the city's recommended ways to comply with Minnesota's landfill ban on yard waste. Residents may com...
woodbury-mn
Woodbury does not publish a specific ordinance authorizing or banning residential artificial turf. There is no dedicated synthetic-turf code section, so inst...
woodbury-mn
Woodbury allows native and pollinator-friendly landscaping. Native plantings, bee lawns and water-saving gardens are exempt from the eight-inch grass-height ...
woodbury-mn
Woodbury allows and encourages rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and rain gardens are promoted as ways to cut summer water use under the city's strict water...
woodbury-mn
Woodbury enforces a year-round Lawn & Landscape Watering Policy. Residential properties may irrigate only two days per week based on an assigned irrigation z...
woodbury-mn
Woodbury enforces an eight-inch height limit on weeds and grass as a nuisance, and requires property owners to control or eradicate noxious weeds. Noxious we...
See how Woodbury's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.