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

Overview of Missouri Chicken Laws

Missouri has no statewide hen cap or ban. Cities and counties set flock size, rooster rules, permits, and coop setbacks. Many urban areas allow about 4–8 hens, ban roosters, and require a permit. Rural and unincorporated areas are usually more flexible.

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

Missouri Major Cities Rules

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Kansas City, MO

Hen Limit: Up to 15 hens | Roosters: 300 ft from neighboring dwellings | Permit: Special exception if under 100 ft setback | Setback: 100 ft from neighboring dwellings

St. Louis, MO

Hen Limit: Up to 8 fowl | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required for 8 or fewer | Setback: Rear yard; coop/run not in front yard

Springfield, MO

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 25 ft from neighboring dwellings

Columbia, MO

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 10 ft from property lines; 25 ft from neighboring dwellings

Independence, MO

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens (more on larger lots) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 6 ft from property lines; 50 ft from other residences

Lee's Summit, MO

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

O'Fallon, MO

O'Fallon, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saint Charles, MO

Saint Charles, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saint Joseph, MO

Saint Joseph, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Blue Springs, MO

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

Missouri Ordinances by City & County

Refer to our Official Sources below for data integrity.

Adair County, MO

Kirksville, MO

Kirksville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Andrew County, MO

Savannah, MO

Savannah, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Audrain County, MO

Mexico, MO

Mexico, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Barry County, MO

Monett, MO

Monett, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Butler County, MO

Poplar Bluff, MO

Poplar Bluff, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Callaway County, MO

Fulton, MO

Fulton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cape Girardeau County, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jackson, MO

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

Cass County, MO

Belton, MO

Belton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Harrisonville, MO

Harrisonville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Peculiar, MO

Peculiar, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pleasant Hill, MO

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

Raymore, MO

Raymore, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Christian County, MO

Nixa, MO

Nixa, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ozark, MO

Ozark, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clay County, MO

Excelsior Springs, MO

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

Gladstone, MO

Gladstone, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kearney, MO

Kearney, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Liberty, MO

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

Smithville, MO

Smithville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Clinton County, MO

Cameron, MO

Cameron, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Cole County, MO

Jefferson City, MO

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

Cooper County, MO

Boonville, MO

Boonville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dunklin County, MO

Kennett, MO

Kennett, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Franklin County, MO

Pacific, MO

Pacific, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sullivan, MO

Sullivan, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Union, MO

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

Washington, MO

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

Greene County, MO

Battlefield, MO

Battlefield, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Republic, MO

Republic, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Willard, MO

Willard, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Grundy County, MO

Trenton, MO

Trenton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Henry County, MO

Clinton, MO

Clinton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Howell County, MO

West Plains, MO

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

Jackson County, MO

Grain Valley, MO

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

Grandview, MO

Grandview, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Greenwood, MO

Greenwood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oak Grove, MO

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

Raytown, MO

Raytown, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jasper County, MO

Carl Junction, MO

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

Carthage, MO

Carthage, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Joplin, MO

Joplin, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Webb City, MO

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

Jefferson County, MO

Arnold, MO

Arnold, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Barnhart, MO

Barnhart, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

De Soto, MO

De Soto, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Festus, MO

Festus, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Herculaneum, MO

Herculaneum, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Imperial, MO

Imperial, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Murphy, MO

Murphy, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pevely, MO

Pevely, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Johnson County, MO

Warrensburg, MO

Warrensburg, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Laclede County, MO

Lebanon, MO

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

Lafayette County, MO

Odessa, MO

Odessa, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lawrence County, MO

Aurora, MO

Aurora, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lincoln County, MO

Troy, MO

Troy, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Livingston County, MO

Chillicothe, MO

Chillicothe, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Macon County, MO

Macon, MO

Macon, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Marion County, MO

Hannibal, MO

Hannibal, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Newton County, MO

Neosho, MO

Neosho, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Nodaway County, MO

Maryville, MO

Maryville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pemiscot County, MO

Caruthersville, MO

Caruthersville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Perry County, MO

Perryville, MO

Perryville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pettis County, MO

Sedalia, MO

Sedalia, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Phelps County, MO

Rolla, MO

Rolla, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Platte County, MO

Parkville, MO

Parkville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Polk County, MO

Bolivar, MO

Bolivar, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Pulaski County, MO

Fort Leonard Wood, MO

Fort Leonard Wood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saint Robert, MO

Saint Robert, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Waynesville, MO

Waynesville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Randolph County, MO

Moberly, MO

Moberly, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ray County, MO

Richmond, MO

Richmond, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saline County, MO

Marshall, MO

Marshall, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Scott County, MO

Sikeston, MO

Sikeston, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

St. Charles County, MO

Cottleville, MO

Cottleville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Dardenne Prairie, MO

Dardenne Prairie, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Lake St. Louis, MO

Lake St. Louis, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saint Peters, MO

Saint Peters, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Weldon Spring, MO

Weldon Spring, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wentzville, MO

Wentzville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

St. Francois County, MO

Bonne Terre, MO

Bonne Terre, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Farmington, MO

Farmington, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Park Hills, MO

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

St. Louis County, MO

Affton, MO

Affton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ballwin, MO

Ballwin, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO

Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Berkeley, MO

Berkeley, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Black Jack, MO

Black Jack, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Brentwood, MO

Brentwood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Bridgeton, MO

Bridgeton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Chesterfield, MO

Hen Limit: Not allowed on lots under 2 acres | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Not specified

Clayton, MO

Clayton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Concord, MO

Concord, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Crestwood, MO

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

Creve Coeur, MO

Creve Coeur, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Des Peres, MO

Des Peres, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ellisville, MO

Ellisville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Eureka, MO

Eureka, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ferguson, MO

Ferguson, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Florissant, MO

Florissant, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Glasgow Village, MO

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

Glendale, MO

Glendale, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Hazelwood, MO

Hazelwood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Jennings, MO

Jennings, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Kirkwood, MO

Kirkwood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ladue, MO

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Rear yard; 50 ft from neighboring structures

Lemay, MO

Lemay, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Manchester, MO

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

Maplewood, MO

Maplewood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Maryland Heights, MO

Maryland Heights, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Mehlville, MO

Mehlville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Oakville, MO

Oakville, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Old Jamestown, MO

Old Jamestown, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Olivette, MO

Olivette, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Overland, MO

Overland, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Richmond Heights, MO

Richmond Heights, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sappington, MO

Sappington, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Saint Ann, MO

Saint Ann, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

St. John, MO

St. John, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Shrewsbury, MO

Shrewsbury, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Spanish Lake, MO

Spanish Lake, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Sunset Hills, MO

Sunset Hills, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Town and Country, MO

Town and Country, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

University City, MO

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

Valley Park, MO

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

Webster Groves, MO

Webster Groves, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wildwood, MO

Wildwood, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Ste. Genevieve County, MO

Sainte Genevieve, MO

Sainte Genevieve, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Stoddard County, MO

Dexter, MO

Dexter, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Taney County, MO

Branson, MO

Branson, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Vernon County, MO

Nevada, MO

Nevada, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Warren County, MO

Warrenton, MO

Warrenton, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Wright City, MO

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

Webster County, MO

Marshfield, MO

Marshfield, MO has no publicly available ordinance data for hen limits, roosters, permits, or setbacks.

Rural & Unincorporated Areas in Missouri

Rural and unincorporated areas are generally more permissive than city limits. Agricultural and rural-residential zones often allow larger flocks and may permit roosters if noise and sanitation rules are met. Common patterns include few or no numeric hen caps on larger lots, bigger setbacks from dwellings, and little or no local permit. County zoning and HOAs can still limit or ban chickens.

Zoning, Building Permits & HOA Notes

Coops count as accessory structures with local rules on size, placement, and setbacks. Building permits may apply in some areas. HOAs can restrict or ban chickens. Nuisance and sanitation laws apply statewide.

Permits & Local Requirements

There is no statewide backyard-chicken permit. Some cities require a local hen permit (Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit). Others allow small flocks with no permit if setbacks are met (St. Louis up to 8; Columbia and Springfield up to 6). Kansas City needs a special exception only if you cannot meet the 100-foot dwelling setback.

Selling Backyard Eggs in Missouri

Small flocks may sell eggs direct from home to consumers without a license. Farmers’ markets need a Limited Retailer’s License. Sales to stores or restaurants need a Dealer’s License. Keep eggs clean, uncracked, and at 45°F or below. Label name, address, pack date, and grade or “Ungraded.”

Missouri State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Missouri follows the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) exemptions, which allow small producers to slaughter and process birds without continuous state or federal inspection under specific conditions.

Personal Use: Individuals may slaughter and process poultry they have raised for their own exclusive use (including members of their household and non-paying guests) without any inspection or licensing.

Commercial Sale: Producers may sell slaughtered poultry under the 1,000 Bird Exemption or 20,000 Bird Exemption. To qualify, you must raise the birds on your own farm, slaughter them under sanitary conditions, and sell them only within the state of Missouri. Producers must register with the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (MPIP) and apply for an exemption prior to operating.

Humane Standards: All slaughtering must be performed in a humane manner that prevents unnecessary suffering. While small exempt producers aren't subject to the same bird-by-bird inspection, they must still follow 9 CFR Part 416 regarding basic sanitation and the production of "sound, clean, and fit for human food" products.

Nuisance Laws: Even if state law allows slaughter, local municipal ordinances often prohibit on-site slaughter in residential zones. Per RSMo 537.295, agricultural operations are protected from some nuisance suits, but this rarely applies to small backyard flocks in city limits where "offensive odors," "unsanitary conditions," or "noise" can be cited as code violations.

Missouri Predator Challenges

Common threats include raccoons, foxes, hawks, coyotes, skunks, bobcats, and opossums. Secure housing is essential statewide.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Are you ready to build your coop?

Once your Missouri city or county allows the flock, use our Step-by-Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide to build a setup that can handle hot summers, cold snaps, and year-round predators.

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?

Already raising chickens? Choose hardy breeds for Missouri weather and keep the coop dry and locked. Explore our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide for daily flock and coop care.

Official Sources

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

2. Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Division

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.