Can you keep backyard chickens in Alaska?
An Alaska borough must, and a city outside a borough must or may, provide for land use regulation (AS 29.40.010, 29.35.260), so check yours. Who regulates elsewhere, and whether keepers must register, wasn't established.
Read from 8 official sources45 passages quotedChecked October 26, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
Where hens can live
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
Who decides where hens can live
The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. What the checked sources say:
- First and second class boroughs must provide for planning, platting and land use regulation on an areawide basis, and may delegate these powers to a city that consents; home rule boroughs must also provide for land use regulation. Following its comprehensive plan, the borough assembly adopts by ordinance rules on the use and occupancy of land, which may include zoning by district.
- A home rule or first class city outside a borough must, and a second class city outside a borough may, provide for planning, platting and land use regulation.
No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your borough, or your city if it's outside a borough, must or may provide for land use regulation, so check with it; who regulates land use in places outside organized boroughs and cities was not established from the sections read. This page doesn't cover local codes.
Registration: not established in the state sources we read.
The law's own words are quoted under state rules on keeping poultry below.
How to check: Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
A sourced reading of Alaska's state law, not legal advice. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local code before you get hens.
Keeping your flock
These findings cover the national or state scope stated below. They do not determine whether chickens are allowed at a particular home. City zoning, property restrictions and other local rules are outside this research.
Registering as a poultry keeper
Not established from the sources checked
Jurisdiction: Alaska
Applies to: Alaska Statutes chapter 03.05 (sections 03.05.010 to 03.05.100) and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s animal health regulations (18 AAC 36), read on 26 October 2026.
Outside this finding's scope
- No registration duty for people who keep poultry was found in these texts. The regulations give “livestock” the meaning in AS 09.45.235(d), which was not read, so whether the voluntary programme below is aimed at poultry keepers was not established. The department’s own web pages could not be read for this check; this is not proof that no keeper duty exists.
What the checked sources say
- The Department of Environmental Conservation operates a voluntary premises registration program for livestock owners, veterinary clinics and other places where livestock may gather, and may help livestock owners with voluntary animal identification systems.
Authority: Not established from the sources checked.
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
(b) The department will operate a voluntary premises registration program (1) for livestock owners, veterinary clinics, and other places where livestock may gather; and
18 AAC 36.295(b)(1) · Checked
(c) The department may assist livestock owners with voluntary animal identification systems.
18 AAC 36.295(c) · Checked
(11) "department" means the Department of Environmental Conservation;
18 AAC 36.990(11) · Checked
(30) "livestock" has the meaning given in AS 09.45.235 (d);
18 AAC 36.990(30) · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
An official current-status link has not been established.
Orders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-26
The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.
Conditions apply to this finding
Uses housing orders in this scope: Yes, according to the checked evidence, within the limits listed under “Outside this finding’s scope” below.
Jurisdiction: Alaska
Applies to: The animal disease powers of Alaska’s commissioner of environmental conservation (AS 03.05.011) and the state veterinarian’s quarantine rule (18 AAC 36.030), where an animal includes a bird, wild or domestic (AS 03.05.100).
Outside this finding's scope
- These powers do not in terms require birds to be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any order, quarantine or embargo applies now. The department’s website could not be read for this check, so no current-status page is linked.
What the checked sources say
- To prevent the spread of pests or contagious or infectious disease, the commissioner may issue orders or permits for the examination, inspection, testing, quarantine or embargo of animals or of premises that hold or have held animals, and for the custody, care or destruction of animals.
- Before imposing a quarantine or taking another action that deprives a person of an animal, the department must give the owner or possessor notice and an opportunity to be heard, unless the commissioner finds an immediate threat to the health or safety of an animal or the public. Violating such an order or quarantine can bring a civil fine of up to $500 for each violation.
- The state veterinarian may order an animal quarantined if it shows clinical evidence of an infectious, contagious or communicable disease, and the owner must keep it quarantined at the owner’s expense until released or until it is ordered euthanized, slaughtered or destroyed.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed.
- Checked
- Recheck due
Historical evidence, as checked
These quotations record what was checked on the dates shown. They do not confirm an order's current status.
(a) To carry out the requirements of this title relating to animals or animal products over which the department has jurisdiction, the commissioner may
AS 03.05.011(a), opening · Checked
(1) issue orders or permits relating to or authorizing the examination, inspection, testing, quarantine, or embargo of animals or animal products, or premises containing or having contained animals or animal products, in order to prevent the spread of pests or contagious or infectious disease;
AS 03.05.011(a)(1) · Checked
(4) issue orders or permits relating to or authorizing the custody, care, or destruction of animals or animal products to prevent the spread of pests or contagious or infectious disease;
AS 03.05.011(a)(4) · Checked
(c) Before taking custody of or destroying an animal or animal product under (a)(4) of this section, or imposing a quarantine, placing an embargo, or taking another action under this section that deprives a person of an animal or animal product,
AS 03.05.011(c), first part · Checked
the department shall provide for notice and an opportunity to be heard to the owner or person in possession of the animal or animal product, unless the commissioner determines there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of an animal or the public.
AS 03.05.011(c), second part · Checked
(1) “commissioner” means the commissioner of environmental conservation;
AS 03.05.011(e)(1) · Checked
(2) “department” means the Department of Environmental Conservation.
AS 03.05.011(e)(2) · Checked
(2) “animal” means an animal other than a human being and includes a mammal, insect, bird, fish, and reptile, whether wild or domestic, and whether living or dead;
AS 03.05.100(2) · Checked
(b) A person who violates an order issued, a regulation adopted, a permit issued, a quarantine imposed, or an embargo ordered under AS 03.05.011 , or a person who directs or orders a person to commit the violation, is subject to a civil fine of not more than $500 for each violation.
AS 03.05.090(b) · Checked
(a) The state veterinarian may, if the veterinarian determines it serves the interests of animal or public health, order an animal quarantined if the animal
18 AAC 36.030(a), opening · Checked
(2) exhibits clinical evidence of an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease.
18 AAC 36.030(a)(2) · Checked
(b) The owner must quarantine the animal at the owner's expense until the state veterinarian releases the animal from quarantine or orders the animal euthanized, slaughtered, or destroyed.
18 AAC 36.030(b) · Checked
(2) "animal" has the meaning given in AS 03.05.100 ;
18 AAC 36.990(2) · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Alaska
Applies to: Alaska’s cruelty to animals offence (AS 11.61.140), where an animal is a vertebrate living creature other than a human or a fish (AS 11.81.900), with the minimum standards of care (AS 03.55.100) and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s general care standards (18 AAC 36.500).
Outside this finding's scope
- It is a defense, among others, that the conduct conformed to accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices; what counts as accepted practice for a backyard flock was not established. The failure-to-care offence applies to a person with a legal duty to care for the animal. No numerical space standard for poultry was found.
What the checked sources say
- A person commits cruelty to animals by knowingly inflicting severe or prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal (a class C felony), or, having a legal duty to care for it, by failing with criminal negligence to care for it and so causing its death or severe pain or prolonged suffering (a class A misdemeanor, or a class C felony if the person was previously convicted of a crime under the section within 10 years). Failing to provide the minimum standards of care is prima facie evidence of failure to care.
- The minimum standards of care include food and water sufficient to keep each animal in good health, an environment that protects its good health and safety, and reasonable medical care when available and necessary.
- Under the department’s general care standards, an animal may not go without food or water for 24 consecutive hours, except during transport (28 hours), for day-old poultry delivered within 72 hours of hatching and fed and watered on unloading, and for adult poultry in an induced molt (feed withheld no longer than 14 days, with daily monitoring, and feed returned if average weight loss exceeds 30 percent of pre-molt weight or mortality increases). Sick or injured animals must be promptly treated or humanely euthanized, and animals must be housed with adequate drainage and sanitation.
The official wording
(3) “animal” means a vertebrate living creature not a human being, but does not include fish;
AS 11.81.900(b)(3) · Checked
(a) A person commits cruelty to animals if the person
AS 11.61.140(a), opening · Checked
(1) knowingly inflicts severe or prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal;
AS 11.61.140(a)(1) · Checked
(2) has a legal duty to care for the animal and, with criminal negligence, fails to care for an animal and, as a result, causes the death of the animal or causes severe physical pain or prolonged suffering to the animal;
AS 11.61.140(a)(2) · Checked
(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the conduct of the defendant
AS 11.61.140(c), opening · Checked
(3) conformed to accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices;
AS 11.61.140(c)(3) · Checked
(d) In (a)(2) of this section, failure to provide the minimum standards of care for an animal under AS 03.55.100 is prima facie evidence of failure to care for an animal.
AS 11.61.140(d) · Checked
(g) Except as provided in (h) of this section, cruelty to animals under (a)(2), (5), (6), or (7) of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
AS 11.61.140(g), first sentence · Checked
(h) Cruelty to animals under (a)(1), (3), or (4) of this section is a class C felony.
AS 11.61.140(h), first sentence · Checked
(a) The minimum standards of care for animals include
AS 03.55.100(a), opening · Checked
(1) food and water sufficient to maintain each animal in good health;
AS 03.55.100(a)(1) · Checked
(2) an environment compatible with protecting and maintaining the good health and safety of the animal; and
AS 03.55.100(a)(2) · Checked
(3) reasonable medical care at times and to the extent available and necessary to maintain the animal in good health.
AS 03.55.100(a)(3) · Checked
(c) An animal may not be deprived of food or water for 24 consecutive hours, except that
18 AAC 36.500(c), opening · Checked
(1) an animal being transported may not be deprived of food or water for 28 consecutive hours;
18 AAC 36.500(c)(1) · Checked
(2) day-old poultry may be transported without food and water, if (A) the poultry is delivered not later than 72 hours after hatching; and (B) food and water are provided immediately following unloading; and
18 AAC 36.500(c)(2) · Checked
(3) food may be kept from adult poultry during an induced molt for no longer than 14 days; mortality and body weight loss must be monitored daily throughout the molt; feed must be returned if the average weight loss exceeds 30 percent of pre-molt weight or if mortality increases.
18 AAC 36.500(c)(3) · Checked
(d) Sick or injured animals shall be promptly treated utilizing available medical care or humanely euthanized.
18 AAC 36.500(d) · Checked
(e) Animals must be transported or housed in an area with adequate drainage and sanitation to prevent excessive buildup of feces, urine, or water.
18 AAC 36.500(e), first sentence · Checked
Cruelty to animals is also a class C felony if the person is convicted under (a)(2), (5), (6), or (7) of this section and the person has been previously convicted on one or more separate occasions within 10 years of the date of the present offense of a crime under this section,
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Alaska
Applies to: Land use regulation by Alaska’s boroughs and by cities outside boroughs (AS 29.35.180, 29.35.260, 29.40.010 and 29.40.040).
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your borough, or your city if it's outside a borough, must or may provide for land use regulation, so check with it; who regulates land use in places outside organized boroughs and cities was not established from the sections read. This page doesn't cover local codes.
What the checked sources say
- First and second class boroughs must provide for planning, platting and land use regulation on an areawide basis, and may delegate these powers to a city that consents; home rule boroughs must also provide for land use regulation. Following its comprehensive plan, the borough assembly adopts by ordinance rules on the use and occupancy of land, which may include zoning by district.
- A home rule or first class city outside a borough must, and a second class city outside a borough may, provide for planning, platting and land use regulation.
The official wording
(a) A first or second class borough shall provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation in accordance with AS 29.40 .
AS 29.35.180(a) · Checked
(b) A home rule borough shall provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation.
AS 29.35.180(b) · Checked
(a) A first or second class borough shall provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation on an areawide basis.
AS 29.40.010(a) · Checked
(b) If a city in a borough consents by ordinance, the assembly may by ordinance delegate any of its powers and duties under this chapter to the city.
AS 29.40.010(b), first sentence · Checked
(a) In accordance with a comprehensive plan adopted under AS 29.40.030 and in order to implement the plan, the assembly by ordinance shall adopt or amend provisions governing the use and occupancy of land that may include, but are not limited to,
AS 29.40.040(a), opening · Checked
(1) zoning regulations restricting the use of land and improvements by geographic districts;
AS 29.40.040(a)(1) · Checked
A home rule city outside a borough shall provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation as provided by AS 29.35.180 (b) for home rule boroughs.
AS 29.35.260(c), first sentence · Checked
A first class city outside a borough shall, and a second class city outside a borough may, provide for planning, platting, and land use regulation as provided by AS 29.35.180 (a) for first and second class boroughs.
AS 29.35.260(c), second sentence · Checked
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Alaska?
- Registration: not established. The finding covers: Alaska Statutes chapter 03.05 (sections 03.05.010 to 03.05.100) and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s animal health regulations (18 AAC 36), read on 26 October 2026. Outside this finding's scope: No registration duty for people who keep poultry was found in these texts. The regulations give “livestock” the meaning in AS 09.45.235(d), which was not read, so whether the voluntary programme below is aimed at poultry keepers was not established. The department’s own web pages could not be read for this check; this is not proof that no keeper duty exists.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Alaska?
- The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. First and second class boroughs must provide for planning, platting and land use regulation on an areawide basis, and may delegate these powers to a city that consents; home rule boroughs must also provide for land use regulation. Following its comprehensive plan, the borough assembly adopts by ordinance rules on the use and occupancy of land, which may include zoning by district. A home rule or first class city outside a borough must, and a second class city outside a borough may, provide for planning, platting and land use regulation. No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your borough, or your city if it's outside a borough, must or may provide for land use regulation, so check with it; who regulates land use in places outside organized boroughs and cities was not established from the sections read. This page doesn't cover local codes. Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
- Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Alaska?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. We haven't confirmed an official current-status page for it.
Allowed where you live? Then keep the records.
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