Arizona Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits, and Setbacks by City and County

Overview of Arizona Chicken Laws

Arizona’s backyard chicken laws were expanded by HB 2325 (2024), which created ARS § 9-462.12. Cities and counties cannot prohibit a resident of a single-family detached home on a lot of ½ acre or less from keeping up to six fowl in the backyard. Local governments may still regulate details such as setbacks, enclosure size, and sanitation.

Key points:

Roosters: Cities and counties may ban roosters. Most urban and suburban areas do.

Setbacks: Local rules may require the coop to be in the rear or side yard and at least 20 feet from a neighboring property (max enclosure size 200 sq ft / 8 ft high).

HOAs: Homeowners associations are not bound by the state law and can still ban chickens.

Important: ⚠️Always verify with your local jurisdiction or HOA for the latest updates.

Arizona Major Cities Rules

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Phoenix, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (more on larger lots) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring property

Tucson, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 24 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50 ft from neighboring dwellings

Mesa, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens (lots under ½ acre) | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Not required | Setback: Enclosed coop required

Chandler, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 5 ft from property lines (rear/side yard)

Glendale, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring property

Gilbert, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 5–6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Enclosed rear/side yard

Scottsdale, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Peoria, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Surprise, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Yuma, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring property

Other Arizona Ordinances by County & City

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Cochise County, AZ

Sierra Vista, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring property

Douglas, AZ

Douglas, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Coconino County, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (more on larger lots) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required (except ER/RR zones) | Setback: 10 ft from lot lines; 20 ft from neighboring dwellings

Gila County, AZ

Payson, AZ

Payson, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Graham County, AZ

Safford, AZ

Safford, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Maricopa County, AZ

Tempe, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Buckeye, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from property lines

Goodyear, AZ

Goodyear, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Queen Creek, AZ

Hen Limit: 6–10 hens (by lot size) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 5 ft from property lines (rear half of lot)

Avondale, AZ

Avondale, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Laveen, AZ

Laveen, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Tolleson, AZ

Tolleson, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Litchfield Park, AZ

Litchfield Park, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sun City, AZ

Sun City, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

El Mirage, AZ

El Mirage, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cave Creek, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Sun City West, AZ

Sun City West, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fountain Hills, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring property

Paradise Valley, AZ

Paradise Valley, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Waddell, AZ

Waddell, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mohave County, AZ

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Rear or side yard

Kingman, AZ

Kingman, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bullhead City, AZ

Bullhead City, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fort Mohave, AZ

Fort Mohave, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Navajo County, AZ

Show Low, AZ

Show Low, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Winslow, AZ

Winslow, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pima County, AZ

Marana, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Vail, AZ

Vail, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sahuarita, AZ

Sahuarita, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Green Valley, AZ

Green Valley, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pinal County, AZ

San Tan Valley, AZ

San Tan Valley, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Maricopa, AZ

Maricopa, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Casa Grande, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from neighboring properties

Apache Junction, AZ

Apache Junction, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Florence, AZ

Florence, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Coolidge, AZ

Coolidge, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Gold Canyon, AZ

Gold Canyon, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Eloy, AZ

Eloy, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Santa Cruz County, AZ

Nogales, AZ

Nogales, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rio Rico, AZ

Rio Rico, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Yavapai County, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Prescott Valley, AZ

Prescott Valley, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cottonwood, AZ

Cottonwood, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Chino Valley, AZ

Chino Valley, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Camp Verde, AZ

Camp Verde, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dewey, AZ

Dewey, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Yuma County, AZ

Somerton, AZ

Somerton, AZ has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Arizona Rural & Unincorporated Areas

Rural and unincorporated areas in Arizona are generally more permissive than cities. Many agricultural and rural residential zones allow larger flocks and roosters, especially on bigger lots. State law (HB 2325) protects the right to keep up to 6 hens on most single-family lots of ½ acre or less, but unincorporated areas are usually more flexible. Always check your county zoning for your exact parcel.

Permits

Most Arizona cities do not require a permit for small hobby flocks (up to 6 hens). Larger coops or commercial operations may need zoning approval or basic registration. Focus on clean, odor-free coops to avoid nuisance complaints.

HOA vs Local Rules

Arizona has a statewide baseline (HB 2325) allowing up to 6 hens on most single-family lots of ½ acre or less. HOAs are exempt and can still ban chickens entirely. Always review your HOA documents and county zoning before starting a flock.

Selling Backyard Eggs & Poultry in Arizona

Small producers may sell up to 750 dozen “nest run” (unwashed, ungraded) eggs per year directly to consumers after free registration with the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Cartons must be labeled “NEST RUN” with your name and address, and eggs must be kept at 45°F or below. Nest-run eggs cannot be sold to restaurants or grocery stores.

Arizona State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Personal use: Fully allowed. You may process birds you raised for your own household with no license required.

Commercial sale: Limited. Small-producer exemptions exist (commonly up to 1,000 birds per year) under state and federal rules, with labeling and sanitation requirements. Local nuisance and public-view rules often restrict or ban on-site slaughter in residential areas.

Arizona Predator Threats

Common threats include coyotes, bobcats, hawks, and snakes. Secure, predator-proof coops and covered runs are essential in both desert and urban-edge areas.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Keeping hens cool is the priority in the Arizona desert; our walk-in coop blueprints feature optimized airflow patterns to prevent heat stress in high temperatures. For ongoing care, view our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Coop Management Guide.

Official Sources

1. When available, we reference Arizona municipal bylaws and ordinances from verified platforms like ecode360.com, municode.com, and local government websites at the time of publication.

2. Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-462.12 (Statewide Preemption)

3. When a city or county has no published ordinance available in the sources above, we state “no publicly available ordinance data.” This does not mean chickens are banned — only that we could not locate a citable published rule. See our disclaimer below.