Backyard Chickens in Lakewood, Colorado
Chickens are legal in Lakewood — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Lakewood, Colorado?
Yes — subject to local rules
- Hen limit
- No simple citywide maximum found
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Permit
- No permit requirement found in reviewed rules
- Setback
- Lakewood zoning standards apply to animal keeping and coop placement; verify the current zoning article for your parcel
- Zoning
- Backyard chickens are addressed in Lakewood's zoning standards; roosters are prohibited on smaller lots under the reviewed zoning materials
Last verified: May 2026
View Lakewood ordinance ↗Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
What the Lakewood Rules Say
Lakewood regulates chickens through its zoning standards rather than a simple citywide public-facing hen chart. The city’s code page notes that Title 17, the Zoning Ordinance, is maintained separately from the main Municode code.
Reviewed Lakewood zoning materials address animal keeping and backyard chickens. They prohibit male chickens, also known as roosters, on lots below the applicable size threshold. Because the rule is zoning-based, property size and zoning district matter.
What This Means in Plain English
Backyard hens are possible in Lakewood, but you should verify your zoning before building. Do not plan for a rooster on an ordinary residential lot.
Practical Considerations
Zoning First
Lakewood is a zoning-check city. Confirm the parcel zoning and current Article 4 animal-keeping standards before buying birds.
Roosters
Treat roosters as not allowed for ordinary residential planning.
Coop Placement
Measure before building and avoid placing housing where odor, drainage, or neighbor proximity will create complaints.
Getting Started
- Look up your zoning district.
- Review Lakewood’s current zoning standards for animal keeping.
- Plan for hens only.
- Check HOA or lease restrictions.
- Build a clean, predator-resistant coop and run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Lakewood, CO?
Yes, backyard hens are generally possible where Lakewood zoning standards allow them.
How many hens can I have in Lakewood?
The reviewed materials did not show one simple citywide hen count. The answer depends on zoning and lot conditions.
Are roosters allowed in Lakewood?
For ordinary residential planning, no. Reviewed zoning materials prohibit roosters on smaller lots.
Next Steps for Lakewood Chicken Keepers
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Lakewood'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 Lakewood Municipal Code ↗Get Backyard Chicken Updates for Colorado
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