- Home
- Government
- Divisions
- Sustainability
- Food Systems
- Backyard Livestock
Backyard Livestock Keeping
General Guidelines
Keeping small livestock animals is a sustainable, healthy, and fun source of food. And it's legal! Read the guidelines below for specifications. Guidelines (PDF)
Apply for an Animal Keeping Permit
Wondering if you're allowed to keep backyard livestock on your property? Follow the 4 easy steps listed below to determine if you're eligible. If you have any specific questions, please email summer.white@flagstaffaz.gov or call 928-213-2146.
- Step 1: Look up Your Zoning
- Step 2: Look up Your Lot Size
- Step 3: Determine if you meet spacing & setback requirements
- Step 4: Apply for a Permit
Step 1: Look up Your Zoning
- If you live in Estate or Rural Residential zoning, you can keep all types of small and large livestock, as well as bees as long as you follow the regulations outlined in the Animal Keeping Code. You can ignore the rest of the steps.
- If you live in all other Residential zoning, you may be able to keep small livestock with a livestock keeping permit. Small livestock includes chickens, ducks, rabbits, and pygmy/miniature goats. You can also keep bees without a permit.
- Unsure of your zoning? Look up your address on this map.
- If you live within a HOA it is your responsibility to check with HOA management to ensure that keeping of small livestock is allowed in your neighborhood.
Step 2: Look up Your Lot Size
- If you are unaware how big your lot is, you can find it by looking up your address in Coconino County's Parcel Viewer.
- Your lot size determines how many small livestock you can keep. The number of each type of livestock allowed for each lot size can be found in the table below:
Step 3: Determine if you meet spacing & setback requirements
Depending on which livestock you are keeping, you need to provide adequate space for your livestock. You also need to make sure that shelters for your livestock, such as chicken coops and rabbit hutches are the appropriate distance from neighboring property lines and homes. If you are keeping small livestock, including chickens, ducks, rabbits, or miniature goats, you need to meet two different setback requirements:
- Animal shelters must be at least 10 feet from all neighboring property lines, except those abutting an alleyway. If this is the case, the shelter can extend up to the property line.
- Shelters must be at least 20 feet from neighboring homes.
- Animal shelters must be located in your rear yard.
Step 4: Apply for a Permit
- If you're only keeping bees, you do not need a permit.
- Unless you live in Estate and Rural Residential zoning, a permit is required to keep backyard livestock, such as chickens, ducks, and rabbits. The application (PDF) is free and easy and you'll get a notice of approval within two weeks. A site drawing is required as part of the application (see below).
- To submit your application, we encourage you to email a completed copy to summer.white@flagstaffaz.gov to receive the fastest service. You can also mail and application to the following address:
City of Flagstaff Sustainability Section
211 W Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Example of a Site Drawing
As part of your permit application, you will need to submit a site drawing that demonstrates where your animal shelter will be located on your property. An example of this is shown as follows, which was done using a screenshot from Google Maps and a paint application. It is also fine to submit one that is hand-drawn as long as it demonstrates the proper location and setbacks.
Full Animal Keeping Code
You can access a complete version of the Animal Keeping Code. The code received revisions on May 19th, 2020 which included a requirement to have a permit to keep livestock in residential zones, other than estate and rural residential.
If you have additional questions about the Animal Keeping Code or permitting process please email Summer.White@flagstaffaz.gov or call 928-213-2146.