Kentucky Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits & Setbacks by County & City

Overview of Kentucky Chicken Laws

Kentucky has no statewide ban or flock cap. Cities and counties set hen limits, rooster rules, permits, and setbacks. Many urban areas allow about 4–6 hens and ban roosters; Louisville and Lexington are more flexible. A few cities ban poultry inside city limits. Rural and unincorporated areas are usually more permissive.

Important: ⚠️Always verify with your local jurisdiction or HOA.

Kentucky Major Cities Rules

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Louisville, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens on lots under ½ acre; no numeric cap on ½ acre or more | Roosters: 1 allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: Confined on the property

Lexington, KY

Hen Limit: No hen limit | Roosters: 1 per household (urban service area) | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Bowling Green, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Confined on the property

Owensboro, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 40 ft from neighboring dwellings

Covington, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 50 ft from neighboring dwellings

Georgetown, KY

Georgetown, KY has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Richmond, KY

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Florence, KY

Florence, KY has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Elizabethtown, KY

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Not required | Setback: Not specified

Nicholasville, KY

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Restricted | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Other Kentucky Ordinances by County & City

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Adair County, KY

Columbia, KY

Columbia, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Allen County, KY

Scottsville, KY

Scottsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Anderson County, KY

Lawrenceburg, KY

Lawrenceburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Barren County, KY

Glasgow, KY

Glasgow, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bath County, KY

Owingsville, KY

Owingsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bell County, KY

Middlesboro, KY

Middlesboro, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pineville, KY

Pineville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Boone County, KY

Union, KY

Union, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Burlington, KY

Burlington, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hebron, KY

Hebron, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Walton, KY

Walton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bourbon County, KY

Paris, KY

Paris, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Boyd County, KY

Ashland, KY

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

Catlettsburg, KY

Catlettsburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Boyle County, KY

Danville, KY

Danville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Breathitt County, KY

Jackson, KY

Jackson, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bullitt County, KY

Shepherdsville, KY

Shepherdsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mount Washington, KY

Mount Washington, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Butler County, KY

Morgantown, KY

Morgantown, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Caldwell County, KY

Princeton, KY

Princeton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Calloway County, KY

Murray, KY

Murray, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Campbell County, KY

Newport, KY

Newport, KY has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Alexandria, KY

Alexandria, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fort Thomas, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 10 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 50 ft from neighboring dwellings

Carroll County, KY

Carrollton, KY

Carrollton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Carter County, KY

Grayson, KY

Grayson, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Olive Hill, KY

Olive Hill, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Casey County, KY

Liberty, KY

Liberty, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Christian County, KY

Hopkinsville, KY

Hopkinsville, KY has a total ban on poultry within city limits

Fort Campbell, KY

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

Oak Grove, KY

Oak Grove, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clark County, KY

Winchester, KY

Winchester, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clay County, KY

Manchester, KY

Manchester, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clinton County, KY

Albany, KY

Albany, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Crittenden County, KY

Marion, KY

Marion, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cumberland County, KY

Burkesville, KY

Burkesville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Daviess County, KY

Utica, KY

Utica, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Philpot, KY

Philpot, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Estill County, KY

Irvine, KY

Irvine, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fleming County, KY

Flemingsburg, KY

Flemingsburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Floyd County, KY

Prestonsburg, KY

Prestonsburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Franklin County, KY

Frankfort, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 25 ft from neighboring dwellings

Garrard County, KY

Lancaster, KY

Lancaster, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Grant County, KY

Dry Ridge, KY

Dry Ridge, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Williamstown, KY

Williamstown, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Crittenden, KY

Crittenden, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Graves County, KY

Mayfield, KY

Mayfield, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Grayson County, KY

Leitchfield, KY

Leitchfield, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Green County, KY

Greensburg, KY

Greensburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Greenup County, KY

Greenup, KY

Greenup, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Flatwoods, KY

Flatwoods, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hardin County, KY

Radcliff, KY

Radcliff, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Vine Grove, KY

Vine Grove, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fort Knox, KY

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

Rineyville, KY

Rineyville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Harrison County, KY

Cynthiana, KY

Cynthiana, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hart County, KY

Munfordville, KY

Munfordville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Henderson County, KY

Henderson, KY

Henderson, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hopkins County, KY

Madisonville, KY

Madisonville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jackson County, KY

Mc Kee, KY

Mc Kee, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jefferson County, KY

Prospect, KY

Prospect, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fairdale, KY

Fairdale, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Fisherville, KY

Fisherville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jessamine County, KY

Wilmore, KY

Wilmore, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kenton County, KY

Ft Mitchell, KY

Ft Mitchell, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Independence, KY

Independence, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Erlanger, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 50 ft from neighboring dwellings

Latonia, KY

Latonia, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Knox County, KY

Barbourville, KY

Barbourville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Larue County, KY

Hodgenville, KY

Hodgenville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Laurel County, KY

London, KY

London, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lawrence County, KY

Louisa, KY

Louisa, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lewis County, KY

Vanceburg, KY

Vanceburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lincoln County, KY

Stanford, KY

Stanford, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Logan County, KY

Russellville, KY

Russellville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Auburn, KY

Auburn, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Madison County, KY

Berea, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: 50 ft from neighboring dwellings

Magoffin County, KY

Salyersville, KY

Salyersville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marion County, KY

Lebanon, KY

Lebanon, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marshall County, KY

Benton, KY

Benton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Calvert City, KY

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

Mason County, KY

Maysville, KY

Maysville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

McCracken County, KY

Paducah, KY

Hen Limit: Up to 8 fowl | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not required | Setback: 100 ft from neighboring dwellings

Meade County, KY

Brandenburg, KY

Brandenburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mercer County, KY

Harrodsburg, KY

Harrodsburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Metcalfe County, KY

Edmonton, KY

Edmonton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Monroe County, KY

Tompkinsville, KY

Tompkinsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Montgomery County, KY

Mount Sterling, KY

Mount Sterling, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Morgan County, KY

West Liberty, KY

West Liberty, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Muhlenberg County, KY

Greenville, KY

Greenville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Central City, KY

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

Nelson County, KY

Bardstown, KY

Bardstown, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Coxs Creek, KY

Coxs Creek, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Nicholas County, KY

Carlisle, KY

Carlisle, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ohio County, KY

Beaver Dam, KY

Beaver Dam, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hartford, KY

Hartford, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oldham County, KY

Crestwood, KY

Crestwood, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

La Grange, KY

La Grange, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Goshen, KY

Goshen, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Owen County, KY

Owenton, KY

Owenton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pendleton County, KY

Falmouth, KY

Falmouth, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Perry County, KY

Hazard, KY

Hazard, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pike County, KY

Pikeville, KY

Pikeville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Powell County, KY

Stanton, KY

Stanton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pulaski County, KY

Somerset, KY

Somerset, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rockcastle County, KY

Mount Vernon, KY

Mount Vernon, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rowan County, KY

Morehead, KY

Morehead, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Russell County, KY

Russell Springs, KY

Russell Springs, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Shelby County, KY

Shelbyville, KY

Shelbyville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Simpsonville, KY

Simpsonville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Simpson County, KY

Franklin, KY

Franklin, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Spencer County, KY

Taylorsville, KY

Taylorsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Taylor County, KY

Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Todd County, KY

Elkton, KY

Elkton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Trigg County, KY

Cadiz, KY

Cadiz, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Union County, KY

Morganfield, KY

Morganfield, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Warren County, KY

Smiths Grove, KY

Smiths Grove, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Alvaton, KY

Alvaton, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Washington County, KY

Springfield, KY

Springfield, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wayne County, KY

Monticello, KY

Monticello, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Whitley County, KY

Corbin, KY

Corbin, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Williamsburg, KY

Williamsburg, KY has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Woodford County, KY

Versailles, KY

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 8 ft from side/rear lines; 15 ft from neighboring dwellings

Kentucky Rural & Unincorporated Counties

Rural and unincorporated areas of Kentucky are generally more flock-friendly than cities. Agricultural and larger rural-residential parcels often have few or no numeric hen limits, and roosters are commonly allowed on acreage. Rules usually focus on confinement, sanitation, and nuisance prevention rather than strict flock caps. County zoning and HOA covenants can still limit or ban chickens even outside city limits.

Zoning & HOA Rules

Kentucky zoning is largely county- and city-driven. Residential zones often limit flock size and ban roosters, while rural and agricultural land is generally more permissive. HOAs can restrict or ban poultry through private covenants, even when local ordinances allow them.

Verify: Contact your city or county planning/zoning office and ask about “small animal,” “poultry,” or “accessory livestock” rules for your specific zoning district.

Permits & Registration

There is no statewide permit for small backyard flocks. Some cities require a local permit or license; others do not. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture encourages voluntary NPIP participation for biosecurity.

Selling Backyard Eggs & Poultry in Kentucky

Small direct-to-consumer egg sales are generally allowed with minimal regulation.

Direct sales: Often exempt when selling limited quantities directly to consumers; eggs should be clean, labeled with the producer’s information, and kept refrigerated.

Larger or retail sales: May require licensing or registration through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Poultry meat: Follow state and federal exemption rules for on-farm processing and sales.

Kentucky State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Kentucky allows small-scale poultry processing when producers follow state food-safety guidelines and applicable federal exemptions.

Personal Use: Home slaughter is allowed without a license when the meat is consumed only by the household that raised the birds.

Commercial Sale: Limited on-farm sales may qualify under federal exemptions, but sanitation, labeling, and record-keeping requirements still apply.

Humane Standards: Birds must be handled and processed using clean, humane methods.

Local Rules: Many cities prohibit on-site slaughter within city limits. Always check local ordinances for waste disposal and nuisance rules.

Kentucky's Predator Threats

Kentucky’s mix of woods, fields, and suburban edges draws foxes, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, and owls. Secure coops, covered runs, and locked doors at night matter in both rural and in-town yards.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Kentucky’s varied terrain benefits from a level, well-drained coop foundation. Use our step-by-step coop building guide for practical construction tips. For ongoing flock care, view our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide.

Official Sources

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

2. KDA Poultry Regulations – NPIP and CVI details.

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.