Having chickens in the city limits of Fort Collins has been allowed for some time now, but recent changes to the code may have some confused. Have no fear! We have gone over the rules and restrictions regarding backyard chickens, and have laid it out below.
The city of Fort Collins now requires an inspection and a permit to own chickens. The inspection is done by the Larimer Humane Society and animal control. If you are going to purchase chicks, first call (970)226-3647 extension: 7 to set up a time to have your chicken coop inspected. Roosters and Mallards (ducks) are not allowed, only hens are allowed in city limits.[1] No more than 6 chickens are allowed in one coop in the city of Fort Collins.[2]
The requirements are as follows:
-The poultry must be provided with a covered, predator-resistant poultry house that is properly ventilated, designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained, and must consist of at least four (4) square feet per chicken hen or duck.[3]
-During daylight hours, the poultry must have access to the poultry house and also have access to an outdoor enclosure that is adequately fenced to protect them from predators.[3]
-The poultry must be further protected from predators by being closed in the poultry house from dusk to dawn.[3]
-Neither the poultry house nor the outdoor enclosure may be located less than fifteen (15) feet from any abutting property line unless the owner or keeper of the poultry obtains the written consent of the owners of all abutting properties to which the enclosure is proposed to be more closely located, in which event the agreed-upon location shall then be deemed acceptable notwithstanding any subsequent change in ownership of such abutting properties.[3]
-The poultry must be sheltered or confined in such fashion as to prevent them from coming into contact with wild ducks or geese or their excrement.[3]
-The poultry may not be killed by or at the direction of the owner or keeper thereof except pursuant to the lawful order of state or county health officials, or for the purpose of euthanasia when surrendered to a licensed veterinarian or the Humane Society for such purpose, or as otherwise expressly permitted by law.[3]
The above information was compiled from the city of Fort Collins website. For more information on the rules and regulations click here. For more resources and contacts click here.
[1] https://www.municode.com/library/co/fort_collins/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=CH4ANIN_ARTIIAN_DIV6RE_S4-117SACHDUQUREKECHDU
[2]http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/fort-collins-colorado-chicken-ordinance
[3]http://citydocs.fcgov.com/?cmd=convert&vid=3&docid=1304995&dt=ORDINANCE
