Article Last Updated: February 25, 2026
All content individually researched. Local rules change, so always double check with your city or county zoning, animal control, or code enforcement.
Wyoming Backyard Chicken Coop Laws: City and County Permit Rules
Wyoming: Wyoming Animal Health Unit (Official Government Site)
Wyoming Major Cities and Counties – Quick Rules (2026 Overview)
⚠️ State Notes (WLSB Oversight and Poultry Health Rules)
The Wyoming Livestock Board oversees poultry health, disease control, and import requirements. There is no statewide cap on backyard flock size and no statewide ban on chickens. Cities and counties enforce local limits, permits, and setbacks. Rural counties are generally very permissive.
Statewide Hen Limit
No statewide limit; flock sizes are set locally by cities and counties.
Roosters
Allowed statewide, but often restricted or banned in cities due to noise.
Permits and Licensing
No statewide backyard permit; some cities require local permits, neighbor consent, or registration.
Setbacks
Local zoning rules apply; typical setbacks range from 3 to 50 feet from property lines or dwellings.
State Agency
Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB).
Egg Sales
Eggs must follow state labeling and handling rules; small producer exemptions apply.
Table of Contents
Wyoming State Rules and Biosecurity
Wyoming has no statewide backyard chicken limits or bans. The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) Animal Health Unit regulates poultry health, import requirements, and disease control. Health certificates may be required for imported birds. All flock size, permit, and setback rules are set locally by cities and counties.
Zoning, Building Permits and HOA Notes
Coops are accessory structures and must comply with local zoning rules on size, placement, and setbacks. Some cities require building permits for larger coops or permanent structures. Homeowners associations can restrict or ban chickens even where city or county ordinances allow them. Nuisance, sanitation, and noise rules apply statewide.
Verify: Check your city or county website, contact the zoning office, and review HOA covenants before building a coop.
Wyoming Predator Challenges
Wyoming flocks face predators such as coyotes, foxes, raccoons, hawks, bobcats, mountain lions, and neighborhood dogs. Secure coops and covered runs are essential.
- Top risks: Coyotes, foxes, hawks.
- Protection tips: Use hardware cloth, bury fencing at least 12 inches deep, lock coops at night, and cover runs to deter hawks.
Permits and Local Requirements
Wyoming does not require a statewide backyard chicken permit. Many cities require local animal permits, zoning approvals, neighbor consent, or building permits for coops. Rural counties often have no permit requirements for small flocks, but nuisance and sanitation rules still apply.
Selling Backyard Eggs in Wyoming
Small direct to consumer egg sales are allowed under Wyoming’s small‑producer and farm‑fresh rules, with no permit required for very small scale sales. Eggs must be labeled according to state requirements and handled safely. Larger or ongoing sales may require licensing or inspection, especially if selling at markets or beyond direct household to household transactions.
- Small scale sales: Allowed without a permit when selling directly to consumers.
- Labeling: Eggs must follow state labeling rules, including producer name and safe handling guidance.
- Larger operations: May require licensing or registration depending on volume and sales channels.
- Where you can sell: Direct sales, farm stands, and some markets (check local rules).
Wyoming Ordinances by City & County
Summary of common rules — always confirm with local code enforcement. While Wyoming is generally "flock-friendly," municipal rules in cities like Cheyenne and Casper are strictly enforced. Unincorporated areas and rural acreage typically allow roosters and large flocks by right.
Largest Wyoming Cities: Quick Reference
- Casper (Natrona County): Up to 6 hens | Roosters banned | Permit/registration may apply | Coop <60 sq ft, <7 ft tall; setbacks apply (e.g., 6 ft from lines).
- Cheyenne (Laramie County): Up to 6 hens | Roosters banned | No permit required (neighbor consent often needed in practice) | Coops in rear yard, predator-resistant, ventilated; min 3 sq ft per hen.
- Evanston (Uinta County): Up to 6 hens | Roosters banned | Permit required | Enclosures must meet strict zoning codes.
- Gillette (Campbell County): Up to 5 hens | Roosters banned | Permit/license required | Coops with setbacks (e.g., 6 ft from lines in some zones).
- Green River (Sweetwater County): Up to 6 hens | Roosters banned | Permit required | 25 ft setback from neighboring residences (typical).
- Jackson (Teton County): Town Council drafting updates; strict bear-proof feed storage required if allowed.
- Laramie (Albany County): Up to 12 birds (total fowl/rabbits) | Roosters allowed (nuisance rules apply) | No permit required | Confined; setbacks per zoning district.
- Riverton (Fremont County): Up to 12 chickens | Roosters banned | 15 ft property line setback (can be waived by neighbors).
- Rock Springs (Sweetwater County): Legalized 2025 | Up to 6 hens (typical) | Roosters banned | Permit & covered enclosure required; setbacks apply (e.g., 3 ft from lines, 25 ft in some cases).
- Sheridan (Sheridan County): Up to 4–6 hens based on lot size | Roosters banned | Permit required | Rear yard only.
Wyoming Backyard Chicken Laws by County
Rural Wyoming counties offer the most flexibility for homesteaders. Most unincorporated land allows roosters and unlimited poultry under agricultural exemptions.
Albany County
Rules: Laramie allows 12 birds and roosters. Unincorporated areas have no hen limits.
Cities/Towns: Laramie | Rock River | Centennial | Albany | Foxpark | Woods Landing | Jelm
Big Horn County
Rules: Extremely permissive; roosters and large flocks allowed on most rural acreage.
Cities/Towns: Basin | Greybull | Lovell | Powell | Burlington | Byron | Deaver | Frannie | Shell | Manderson
Campbell County
Rules: Gillette requires licensing. Rural Campbell county remains open to all poultry types.
Cities/Towns: Gillette | Wright | Sleepy Hollow | Antelope Valley-Crestview | Rozet
Carbon County
Rules: No strict limits in unincorporated zones; roosters are a common sight on rural lots.
Cities/Towns: Rawlins | Saratoga | Baggs | Elk Mountain | Encampment | Hanna | Medicine Bow | Riverside | Sinclair
Converse County
Rules: High tolerance for poultry; no hen limits for acreage-based homesteads.
Cities/Towns: Douglas | Glenrock | Lost Springs | Rolling Hills | Orin
Crook County
Rules: Very permissive; focused on nuisance prevention rather than bird counts.
Cities/Towns: Sundance | Moorcroft | Hulett | Pine Haven | Beulah | Aladdin
Fremont County
Rules: Riverton allows 12 birds. Most county land is zoned for agricultural freedom.
Cities/Towns: Riverton | Lander | Dubois | Hudson | Shoshoni | Pavillion | Kinnear | Fort Washakie
Goshen County
Rules: Strongly agricultural; no hen limits in unincorporated areas.
Cities/Towns: Torrington | Lingle | Fort Laramie | LaGrange | Yoder | Jay Em
Hot Springs County
Rules: Rural zones allow roosters and diverse fowl (ducks, turkeys, geese).
Cities/Towns: Thermopolis | East Thermopolis | Kirby | Lucerne
Johnson County
Rules: No strict county limits. Buffalo and Kaycee allow small backyard flocks.
Cities/Towns: Buffalo | Kaycee | Linch | Saddlestring
Laramie County
Rules: Cheyenne allows 6 hens with rear-yard requirements. Unincorporated areas permissive.
Cities/Towns: Cheyenne | Albin | Burns | Pine Bluffs | Ranchettes | South Greeley | Carpenter
Lincoln County
Rules: Permissive; Star Valley and Kemmerer are popular for backyard homesteading.
Cities/Towns: Kemmerer | Afton | Star Valley Ranch | Alpine | Cokeville | Diamondville | Thayne | Etna | Freedom
Natrona County
Rules: Casper limits to 6 hens. Mills and Bar Nunn are generally permissive.
Cities/Towns: Casper | Mills | Evansville | Bar Nunn | Midwest | Edgerton | Alcova | Powder River
Niobrara County
Rules: Deeply rural; no numeric bird limits; roosters permitted.
Cities/Towns: Lusk | Manville | Lance Creek
Park County
Rules: No strict limits in unincorporated areas; Cody allows small flocks by right.
Cities/Towns: Cody | Powell | Meeteetse | Garland | Ralston | Wapiti
Platte County
Rules: Agricultural permissive; hen and rooster counts usually unlimited in rural zones.
Cities/Towns: Wheatland | Guernsey | Chugwater | Glendo | Hartville | Slater
Sheridan County
Rules: City of Sheridan requires permits. Rural areas allow roosters and larger flocks.
Cities/Towns: Sheridan | Dayton | Ranchester | Clearmont | Big Horn | Story
Sublette County
Rules: High elevation poultry keeping is common; no hen limits on acreage.
Cities/Towns: Pinedale | Marbleton | Big Piney | Bondurant | Cora | Daniel
Sweetwater County
Rules: Rock Springs and Green River require permits/enclosures; unincorporated land is open.
Cities/Towns: Rock Springs | Green River | Bairoil | Granger | Superior | Wamsutter | Farson | Eden
Teton County
Rules: Jackson drafting updates; rural county allows birds but requires bear-proof feed storage.
Cities/Towns: Jackson | Wilson | Alta | Hoback | Kelly | Moose | Teton Village
Uinta County
Rules: Evanston requires a permit. Rural areas are permissive for all poultry types.
Cities/Towns: Evanston | Mountain View | Bear River | Lyman | Fort Bridger | Lonetree
Washakie County
Rules: Agricultural heartland; no strict limits on poultry in rural zones.
Cities/Towns: Worland | Ten Sleep
Weston County
Rules: Permissive; Newcastle and Upton allow backyard flocks with minimal restriction.
Cities/Towns: Newcastle | Upton | Osage
Next Step: Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success
Frequently Asked Questions
Are backyard chickens legal in Wyoming and is there a statewide ban
Generally yes. There is no statewide ban on backyard chickens in Wyoming. The Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) regulates poultry health and disease control, but the authority to allow or restrict flocks is left to individual cities and counties. In most residential areas, keeping a small flock is legal provided you follow local zoning codes.
How many chickens can I have in Cheyenne Casper or Laramie
Flock limits are determined by city ordinances. Cheyenne and Casper typically allow up to 6 hens. Laramie is more permissive, allowing up to 12 birds (including chickens and rabbits combined). Rural and unincorporated areas of counties like Natrona or Laramie County often have no specific numeric limits for residents with adequate acreage.
Are roosters allowed in Wyoming city limits
Roosters are banned in the residential zones of Cheyenne and Casper due to noise ordinances. However, Laramie allows roosters as part of its 12-bird limit. In rural or agricultural zones across the state, roosters are generally permitted as long as they do not create a documented public nuisance.
What are typical coop and setback requirements in Wyoming
Setback rules vary by town but generally range from 3 to 50 feet from property lines or neighboring homes. For example, Casper requires coops to be set back at least 6 feet from property lines. Most Wyoming municipalities require coops to be located in the rear yard and kept in a sanitary, predator-resistant condition.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Wyoming
There is no statewide permit. Some cities like Evanston require a formal permit, while others like Cheyenne do not require a specific poultry license but may require neighbor consent or building permits for large coops. Rural residents typically do not need any permits for personal flocks.
Can I sell backyard eggs or poultry meat in Wyoming
Yes. Under the Wyoming Food Freedom Act (W.S. 11-49-103), Wyoming has the most permissive home food laws in the country. You can sell eggs and even home-slaughtered poultry (up to 1,000 birds annually) directly to consumers without a license, provided the products are labeled as "homemade and uninspected."
Can my Wyoming homeowners association ban chickens
Yes. In Wyoming, a homeowners association (HOA) can legally prohibit or restrict backyard chickens through private covenants, even if city laws allow them. Always check your neighborhood bylaws before starting a flock, as these private contracts often override general city permissions.
What are the 2026 bird flu HPAI rules for Wyoming flocks
The WLSB monitors Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases in Wyoming. Flock owners are urged to practice strict biosecurity, such as covering runs to prevent contact with wild birds. Unexplained poultry deaths must be reported to the State Veterinarian within 24 hours per W.S. 11-19-102.
How do I build a chicken coop for Wyoming winters
Wyoming's harsh winters require coops that are well-insulated and draft-free but still ventilated at the top to prevent moisture buildup. Use the "deep litter method" for natural heat and install heated waterers to prevent freezing. Ensure the structure can support heavy snow loads common in the high plains.
What predators are common for backyard chickens in Wyoming
Common Wyoming predators include coyotes, foxes, raccoons, hawks, and occasionally mountain lions or bobcats. Coops should feature buried hardware cloth to prevent digging and heavy-duty latches to keep out clever predators like raccoons.
Next: Confirm Your Local Rules and Build a Wyoming‑Ready Coop
Wyoming’s chicken rules vary widely between cities, suburbs, and rural counties, so always confirm your zoning or HOA requirements before starting. Once approved, focus on insulation, ventilation, and predator proofing to keep hens healthy through cold winters and high‑altitude weather.
Ready to build? Explore our Step-by-step DIY Backyard Coop Plans designed for Wyoming climates and WLSB regulations.
Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. Information is for general reference only, based on Wyoming Livestock Board guidance and municipal and county ordinances available at the time of research. Local laws, zoning, and HOA rules change frequently. Always verify directly with your city, county, planning department, animal control, or HOA for your address. See our full Disclaimer & Legal Notice.