The City of Carbondale both allows and encourages community members to raise their own backyard chickens!
In 2013, the Carbondale City Council approved an ordinance to allow chickens in the city with a chicken coop license. Coop licenses are $25 with an annual renewal of $10.
- Each coop may hold up to six egg-laying, non-crowing hens of the Gallus gallus species
- Coops may not be located in side or front yards
- Coops must be at least 15 feet from the property line and 25 feet from residences
- Coops must be between 4 and 40 square feet in area
- Coops must be between 5 and 8 feet tall
- Chickens may not run loose on city streets, but they may move freely inside fenced areas on private property
- Chickens must be secured in their coops from 9 pm to 6 am
- Composting of chicken waste is encouraged
Apply for your chicken coop license or renew your existing license.
For more information, email Planner Ashley Gibson or call 618-457-3258.