Backyard Chickens in Scottsdale, Arizona
Chickens are legal in Scottsdale — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Scottsdale Chicken Laws — Quick Reference
No simple citywide chicken-specific setback found in the reviewed Scottsdale guidance; zoning and nuisance rules still apply
Personal-use animals and fowl on residential properties are subject to nuisance, odor, noise, HOA, and county health rules
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →
What the Scottsdale Rules Say
Scottsdale’s farm, ranch, and stable guidance says the city generally does not regulate the number of horses or other farm animals allowed on single-family and two-family residential properties when they are for personal use by the homeowner and there is a city-approved, habitable single-family home on the property.
The same guidance warns that Scottsdale does regulate nuisances such as flies and odors, and that animals are also affected by Maricopa County Health Department rules and HOA or CC&R restrictions.
Scottsdale also prohibits knowingly keeping or harboring any animal or fowl that, by frequent or habitual crowing or other noise, annoys or disturbs a neighborhood or two or more persons.
What This Means in Plain English
Scottsdale appears permissive for personal-use hens, but the city guidance is not written as a simple backyard-chicken checklist. Arizona state law also protects up to six domestic chickens for qualifying single-family detached residences.
Roosters are a bad fit in Scottsdale neighborhoods because frequent crowing can violate the nuisance rule.
Getting Started
- Confirm your property type and zoning.
- Check HOA or CC&R restrictions before buying birds.
- Keep hens in a clean, contained setup.
- Manage manure, flies, odors, and feed storage carefully.
- Avoid roosters because crowing can create a nuisance violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Scottsdale, AZ?
Yes, personal-use hens appear possible on qualifying residential properties, but verify zoning, HOA restrictions, and nuisance rules first.
How many hens can I have in Scottsdale?
The reviewed Scottsdale guidance does not list a simple citywide hen maximum for personal-use residential animals.
Are roosters allowed in Scottsdale?
Do not assume so. Frequent or habitual crowing can violate Scottsdale’s nuisance rules.
Recommended Setup for Scottsdale's Rules
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →
Omlet Eglu Cube
Compact premium coopTwin-wall insulated plastic coop for 4-6 hens. Predator-resistant, easy to clean, and practical for compact backyards.
Large Poultry Waterer
Warm climateHigher-capacity waterer for warm climates and larger legal flock limits. Useful where heat makes daily water checks essential.
UV Shade Cloth for Chicken Runs
Heat protectionRun shade for Texas heat and exposed yards. Helps lower heat stress when ordinances require birds to stay enclosed.
Galvanized Feed Storage Can
Pest controlRodent-resistant feed storage that helps prevent pests, odors, and nuisance complaints.
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Scottsdale's municipal code in May 2026. Ordinances change — always confirm current rules with your local city clerk before purchasing birds or building a coop.
View Scottsdale Municipal Code ↗Want Us to Check Another City?
Request a chicken-law lookup and get the starter checklist for planning your first flock.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.