Questions & Answers
When can I get chickens?
Applications for a chicken permit will be accepted beginning Monday, April 28. Chickens may not be legally kept in any residential area before a permit for the property is approved.
Can anyone get chickens?
Permits will only be awarded to people living in single-family residences. If renting, signed consent from the property owner is needed before a permit will be issued. Homeowner associations (HOA) can prohibit chickens according to their bylaws. It is recommended you check with your HOA before applying for a permit.
How do I obtain a permit?
- Create a drawing of your backyard, including the fence-lines and your house. Draw where you intend to locate your chicken coop and the hen’s outdoor enclosure. Include the approximate dimensions of the coop and outdoor pen in your drawing. Indicate the distance the coop is from the fence-lines.
- The coop must be at least 15-feet away from abutting neighbors. You must obtain written consent from any neighbor closer than 15-feet from the chicken coop. If you rent, written consent from the property owner or landlord must be obtained before a permit will be issued.
- Bring your drawing, and written consent from neighbors or landlord if required, to the permit counter in the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, 2nd floor south, room 2400.
- Pay the one-time permit fee of $40.
- A permit may be revoked for conviction in municipal court of violating city ordinances closely related to keeping chickens (animal-related ordinances, fencing ordinances, etc.).
How many chickens can I have? Once a permit is obtained, a maximum of four (4) hens may be kept. Roosters are not allowed. Hens of other species are not allowed. (i.e. pea fowl hens, guinea fowl hens, others).
- Provides at least two square-feet of space per hen.
- Has floor space no larger than 120 square-feet in size.
- Is properly ventilated and designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained.
- Is located next to an enclosed fenced area that is at least six square-feet in size or larger to allow the hens outdoors during the day. The fence must adequately protect them from predators.
- Chicken
coops and enclosures must be kept neat and sanitary at all times. They
must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent offensive odors or
excessive build up of chicken waste.
- During daylight hours, the hens must have access to the chicken coop and the outdoor enclosure.
- Hens must be secured inside the coop from dusk to dawn.
- Hens must be sheltered or confined to keep them from running at large.
- Chickens must be prevented from coming into contact with wild ducks or geese or their excrement.
- Owners must maintain their chickens in accordance with city standards of humane care for animals. Sec. 14-13 Humane Care
- Chickens may not be slaughtered in residential areas.
Example of a chicken nesting box
The Aurora Animal Care Division recommends people interested in raising chickens research the topic before applying for a permit and obtaining their hens.
Good sources of information include: CSU extension factsheet, “Backyard Chickens”
Good sources of information include: CSU extension factsheet, “Backyard Chickens”
Example of a chicken coop and outdoor enclosure
Links to information on keeping chickens:
If you have questions, please contact the Animal Care Division, 303-326-8288 or animalcare@auroragov.org.
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