Apply for a Backyard Chicken Permit

Step 1.Create a Citizen Access account

We use a third party application called Citizen Access for Backyard Chicken Permit applications.  If you've never used Citizen Access, we recommend that you review how to create an account before starting your application.

Step 2.Make sure you have time to apply

This application will take about 10 minutes once you’ve gathered the required information identified below.  You can save your application and resume later if you need more time.

Step 3.Review the requirements

Your property must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

• Be at least 3,800 square feet (0.087 acres) in area
  • Properties less than 5,000 square feet in size are allowed to keep no more than four (4) chickens on their lot.
  • Properties greater than 5,000 square feet in size are allowed to keep no more than six (6) chickens on their lot.
  • You can look up your property size on the City Assessors Property Search. Once you find your property, scroll down to the Land Information section. You’ll find the total acres listed. If you can’t find your property size, give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section. We'll look it up for you.

• Not include more than 2 dwelling units
• Have written permission from the landlord, if you're renting

Placement and other requirements

• Roosters are expressly prohibited, regardless of the age or maturity of the bird.
• Chickens must be kept in and confined in a properly designed and constructed coop or chicken house, or a fenced and covered enclosure, which may be located only in the "rear yard" of the property.
• Each fenced and covered enclosure shall be designed with adequate yard space for each chicken, and the coop or chicken house and the fenced and covered enclosure combined shall not cover more than fifty (50) percent of the rear yard. Enclosures must be clean and resistant to predators and rodents.
• Coop cannot be taller than 8 feet
• Coop cannot exceed 6 square feet per chicken
• Only one coop for keeping chickens
• Coop and yard must be 10 feet away from all property lines 

Step 4.Make sure you have all the required information

During the application process you will need to upload attachments.

Draw a site plan for your chicken coop and yard, with measurements listed. You can use our Site Plan Template in English(PDF, 173KB) (Site Plan Template in Spanish), which includes a sample.

Include all of this in your site plan:

• All property lines
• All existing buildings or structures on your property
• Fences
• Chicken coop
• Fenced or covered chicken yard area

Upload plans for the coop, chicken house, or fenced and covered enclosure. Examples of plans may include detailed building plans/drawings, photos, elevation drawings, or info sheets for a pre-manufactured coop.

If you're renting, you'll need to upload written permission from your landlord.

Step 5.Have your credit/debit card ready

You'll need to enter your credit/debit card information to pay the non-refundable permit application fee. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover. 

Step 6.Apply online

You can find the application under the Planning Applications category of Citizen Access.

Apply Online in English

Step 7.We'll review your application

Expect to hear from us within 1-2 business days. We'll email you to confirm receipt of your application. Keep in mind that you might need to revise your application or attachments if we notice any missing or incorrect information.

Step 8.What happens next

Check back into your Citizen Access account to see if the permit has been approved or if our staff needs additional information for the permit to be approved. If the permit has been approved, check the email address that you have provided to us for upon filling out the permit.

You should receive feedback within 1-2 business days upon submitting your Backyard Chicken permit.

Step 9.Reapplication process

An initial permit shall be valid for a period of three (3) years.

• If, in the judgment of the City Manager or his/her designee, the permittee has abided by all ordinance provisions and permit conditions and has not created a nuisance to the owners or occupants of adjacent properties or the neighborhood, the permit may be renewed for an additional three (3) year period.
• If the permittee has recorded or verified violations of ordinance provisions or permit conditions but is currently in compliance, the permit may be renewed for an additional one (1) year.
• However, no permit issued pursuant to this ordinance shall remain valid past the date on which this ordinance either expires or is repealed, whichever is earlier.

Step 1.Talk to your neighbors

Check with your adjacent neighbors before you pay the fee to apply for a permit. If any of them objects, the City can't issue you a Backyard Chicken Permit. We notify property owners and occupants.

If even one neighbor objects, we have to deny your application.

Step 2.Review the requirements

Your property must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

• Be at least 3,800 square feet (0.087 acres) in area
• Not include more than 2 dwelling units
• Have written permission from the landlord, if you're renting

Be sure to follow the placement and size requirements:

• Coop and yard use less than 50% of the rear yard
• Coop must be under 8 feet tall
• Coop must be less than 6 square feet per chicken
• Only one coop for keeping chickens
• Coop and yard must be 10 feet away from all property lines

You can look up your property size on the City Assessors Property Search. Once you find your property, scroll down to the Land Information section. You’ll find the total acres listed.  If you can’t find your property size, give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section. We'll look it up for you.

Step 3.Make sure you have all the required information

When you come to our office to apply, you'll need to bring some attachments with you.

Draw a site plan for your chicken coop and yard, with measurements listed. You can use our Site Plan Template in English(PDF, 173KB) (Site Plan Template in Spanish), which includes a sample.

Include all of this in your site plan:

• All property lines
• All existing buildings or structures on your property
• Fences
• Chicken coop
• Fenced or covered chicken yard area

Plans for the coop, chicken house, or fenced and covered enclosure.  Examples of plans may include detailed building plans/drawings, photos, elevation drawings, or info sheets for a pre-manufactured coop.

If you’re renting, you’ll need to provide written permission from your landlord.

Step 4.Have your payment ready

You'll need to pay the non-refundable permit application fee. For in person payments, we accept cash, check or money order, and Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Step 5.Come to our office and fill out an application

We'll help you apply for your Backyard Chicken Permit online through Citizen Access.

Step 6.We'll review your application

Expect to hear from us within 1-2 business days. We'll email you to confirm receipt of your application. Keep in mind that you might need to revise your application or attachments if we notice any missing or incorrect information.

Step 7.What happens next

We’ll notify your neighbors on adjacent lot lines by letter, which leads to one of these two final results:

• We’ll deny your application if a neighbor objects in writing within 21 days of the notification
• We’ll deliver your permit by email if no neighbor objects

The whole process takes about a month to complete.

Step 8.Reapply after the first year

Your permit is only valid for 1 year. You'll need to renew your permit after the initial year.

Don’t worry, we have your back. We'll send you an email with instructions on how to renew the permit before yours expires.