10-11-23 Chickens in Single-Family Residential Zones R-1-10, R-1-12, and R-S-12
Unofficial copy. It may be out of date. Not legal or zoning advice. Zoning rules change, and only the city or county can say for sure what is allowed on a property. Confirm with the city or county planning department before you buy, sign or build.
The official Fruit Heights code is at https://www.fruitheights.gov/201/Municipal-Code.
Text pulled 2026-10-19 from this source.
Partial copy: about 20 chapters (most zone and administration chapters, ch. 1-7, 8A-8C, 8E, 9A-9B, 10B, 12-15, 19-20) are scanned images on the city's site and are not included. Use the official code for those.
Tables (like use tables) may not copy cleanly, so check any table against the official code.
Confirm anything here with Fruit Heights planning before you rely on it.
(a)Purpose. The keeping and maintenance of residential backyard chickens is allowed within single-family residential zones R-110, R-1-12, and R-S-12 (lot sizes under 19,999 square feet) as provided in this Section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this code section shall not in any way limit the rights of residents living in an A-1 or R-S-12 zone (lot sizes 20,000 square feet or larger).
(b) Use.
(1) A chicken shall be kept strictly for familial gain from the production and consumption of eggs or meat. (2) (c) Any chicken kept as provided by this Section shall not be deemed a household pet.
(c) Enclosure Requirements.
(1) All chickens shall be contained at night within a proper coop/cage. (2) In addition to the adequate coop/cage requirement, chickens can be free ranged within a fenced run or a fully fenced
backyard sufficient for containment but shall always be kept within the coop/cage, enclosed area, and/or fenced backyard. (3) Chickens shall always have access to feed and water in an area protected from rodents and other predators.
(d) Coop and Cage Standards. Coops/cages shall be constructed such that:
(1) It is freestanding. (2) Is easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.
(e) Location.
(1) Any coop/cage shall be located in the rear yard of the main dwelling and be located at least twenty (20) feet from any primary residential dwelling on an adjoining property and at least three (3) feet from any property line.
(2) Any time a heating device is used in a coop/cage, such coop/cage must be separated at least ten (10) feet from any residential dwelling structure.
(f) Cleanliness.
Any coops/cages, roaming area and all animals on the lot must be kept and maintained in such a manner so as not to degrade (below a reasonable standard) the health, safety, noise, odor, or sanitation environment of persons dwelling on neighboring or adjacent lots.
(g) Restrictions.
(1) Numbers. (A) No chickens shall be allowed on a single lot less than 10,000 square feet. 1. A combined total of eight (8) laying hens shall be allowed on a lot that is 10,000 square feet. 2. Property owners shall be allowed to have one (1) additional laying hen for every additional one thousand (1000) square feet of property. (B) Any roosters hatched shall be properly removed from the property within five months of age.
(2) No ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, crowing hens, or crowing roosters may be kept on the property.
(3) No Chickens will be allowed on rental properties
(h)Violations.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any chickens in a manner contrary to the provisions of this Section.
(2) If any property owner is still not compliant with this ordinance, the property owner will be required to remove all the chickens at the owner’s expense.
(3) Failure to comply will come under the Fruit Heights City Nuisance Ordinance