Arkansas allows backyard chickens in most areas, but the rules vary dramatically from one city to another. While the state doesn’t impose blanket restrictions on residential poultry keeping, your local municipality determines whether you can raise chickens, how many you can keep, and what requirements you must meet.
Before you invest in a coop or purchase your first birds, understanding these regulations will save you from potential fines, neighbor disputes, and the heartbreak of having to rehome your flock.
This guide breaks down the legal landscape for backyard chickens across Arkansas, from permit requirements to coop specifications, so you can start your flock on solid legal ground.
Legal Status of Backyard Chickens in Arkansas
Arkansas state law doesn’t prohibit backyard chickens, which means the decision falls to local governments. Cities and counties throughout Arkansas have adopted their own ordinances governing residential poultry, creating a patchwork of regulations across the state. You’ll find that urban areas typically have stricter rules than rural communities, and some cities prohibit chickens entirely in certain zoning districts…