Rules of Keeping Chickens are Different Throughout County

APRIL 2, 2025 |

Photo – Chickens gather at a feeder – By Matt Copeland Bigfoot99

In Rawlins, city officials are asking residents to apply for a chicken permit before purchasing fowl and housing them on private property.

According to Rawlins Municipal Code 6.05.020, residents living within city limits must obtain a permit to keep chickens, ducks, or any other type of livestock on their property. Failure to secure the permit may result in a fine or animal cruelty charges.

Speaking to Bigfoot99, Rawlins Police Lieutenant Daria Hooper said over the past few years, she has seen an increase in people raising chickens in their backyards. Lieutenant Hooper reminded city residents that they must have the proper permit to legally keep fowl.

A Rawlins chicken permit costs $25 and must be renewed annually. Lieutenant Hooper explained where residents can find the chicken permit application.

After submitting a chicken permit application, a Rawlins Animal Control officer will visit the resident’s home to determine if they have enough room to safely and humanely house the animals. Lieutenant Hooper said the chickens must have an adequate amount of space to ensure their welfare.

Lieutenant Hooper said the chickens must also have access to a secure coop that offers protection from the elements and is heated during the winter. Additionally, the animals must be supplied with fresh water at all times.

Lieutenant Hooper said residents will be allowed to keep as many chickens as their lot size can accommodate, with an average of eight chickens per property. Residents may also keep roosters, as long as they do not disturb their neighbors.

Rawlins isn’t the only municipality that requires a permit to keep chickens. Last summer, the governing body of Saratoga created a new ordinance that allows residents to have up to 12 egg-laying chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, or quails within town limits.

Saratoga residents were prohibited from keeping fowl on their property, as they were classified as livestock alongside animals such as horses and cows. However, former Councilman Jon Nelson successfully petitioned the town council to reconsider the ban. Now, residents must simply obtain a building permit for an appropriately sized chicken coop. Roosters are still prohibited.

In Hanna, residents may keep up to six egg-laying fowl in town. They must simply submit plans for a coop and properly sized run to the town clerk. Afterwards, the town council will vote on the permit application. Like Saratoga, roosters are not permitted in Hanna.

Medicine Bow residents are also required to obtain a permit to keep chickens on their property. During the March 10^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, resident Matthew Leonard asked the governing body to increase the maximum number of allowable chickens from six to eight. The council expressed their approval and offered to discuss changing the ordinance during the next meeting. It is unclear if there is a fee to apply for a chicken permit in Medicine Bow.

In Elk Mountain, residents may keep any sort of livestock, including chickens, without authorization from the town government.

Like Saratoga, the town of Encampment does not have a specific permit to keep chickens. Instead, residents must submit a building permit for a chicken coop.

Next door, in Riverside, residents are required to obtain a livestock permit in order to keep egg-laying fowl. The permit must be renewed annually.

In the southern end of the county, Dixon residents may keep chickens with the town council’s approval.

Baggs has a similar process to Dixon. Residents must apply for a livestock permit to legally have chickens on their property. However, unlike their neighbor, livestock permits in Baggs must be advertised locally for ten days. After that time, the council will vote on the permit. The application costs five dollars.

The town of Sinclair also allows residents to keep chickens. However, a permit is required. Failure to obtain a chicken permit can result in a $100 fine.

Driving all of this ‘chicken scratch’ is the economy. The rising cost of eggs has prompted many people to consider raising their own egg-laying chickens. Rawlins Police Lieutenant Hooper emphasized the importance of obtaining a fowl permit before bringing chickens onto your property.