Can you keep backyard chickens in Utah?
Your Utah municipality may enact land use ordinances (Utah Code 10-20-101), so check with it. Whether Utah Code 4-1-110's family-food rule reaches keeping hens, or keepers must register, wasn't established.
Read from 8 official sources29 passages quotedChecked October 25, 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:
- To carry out the purposes of the Municipal Land Use, Development, and Management Act, a Utah municipality may enact all ordinances, resolutions and rules, and other land use controls, that it considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land in the municipality, including ones governing uses.
- A county may do the same for land within its unincorporated area, subject to Subsection (4) of Utah Code 17-79-101 and to Section 11-41-103 (Section 11-41-103 was not read).
No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your county for unincorporated land, may enact land use ordinances, so check with it; whether Utah Code 4-1-110's family-food rule reaches keeping hens wasn't established. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.
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 Utah'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: Utah
Applies to: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s (UDAF) premises ID registration and poultry dealer license, as described on UDAF’s own pages and form on 25 October 2026.
Outside this finding's scope
- No registration duty for people who simply keep poultry was found in Utah Code chapter 4-31 (read in full) or on the UDAF pages read. The Utah Administrative Code rules (including R58-6) were not read, so this is not proof that none exists.
What the checked sources say
- UDAF says getting a premises ID is free and voluntary, and poultry are among the species registered under one.
- UDAF’s poultry dealer license application, made under Utah Administrative Code R58-6, is for a dealer of baby or started poultry. The form shows a $25.00 fee and says the license must be renewed every year. The rule itself was not read.
Authority: Not established from the sources checked.
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
The Premises ID does not change when a property is sold. Obtaining a premises ID is free and voluntary.
UDAF Premises IDs page, "How do I obtain a Premises ID?" · Checked
Cattle, bison, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, equine, cervids (deer, elk), camelids (llamas, alpacas) and aquaculture are all examples of species that would be registered under a premises identification number.
UDAF Premises IDs page, "Which animals are considered livestock?" · Checked
In accordance with Utah Administrative Code R58-6, the undersigned hereby makes application to the State of Utah for a poultry dealer license to operate in the State of Utah as dealer of baby or started poultry that originate either within or outside the State of Utah.
UDAF Application for a Poultry Dealer License (2002), first paragraph · Checked
Fee $25.00
UDAF Application for a Poultry Dealer License (2002), heading · Checked
I understand that this license must be renewed annually.
UDAF Application for a Poultry Dealer License (2002), second paragraph · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
Check the official current-status pageOrders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-25
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: Utah
Applies to: UDAF’s disease-control and quarantine powers in Utah Code 4-31-115 and 4-31-116; in Title 4, livestock includes poultry (Utah Code 4-1-109).
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 quarantine or order applies now.
What the checked sources say
- UDAF must investigate, and may quarantine, a reported case of contagious or infectious disease, epidemic or poisoning affecting a domestic animal, or an animal it believes may endanger the health of animals in Utah. After examining the case it may order quarantine, care, or any necessary remedies.
- The commissioner of agriculture and food may quarantine any infected domestic animal, or any area of the state, to prevent the spread of infectious or contagious disease.
- As checked on 25 October 2026, UDAF’s Poultry HPAI page asked everyone from small backyard flock owners to large commercial producers to practise strong biosecurity, including keeping poultry away from waterfowl, to watch for HPAI symptoms, and to contact the state veterinarian’s office immediately if birds show them.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed; check UDAF’s Poultry HPAI page.
- 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) The department shall investigate and may quarantine a reported case of contagious or infectious disease, or any epidemic or poisoning, affecting a domestic animal or an animal that the department believes may jeopardize the health of animals within the state.
Utah Code 4-31-115(1)(a) · Checked
(b) The department shall make a prompt and thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the disease, epidemic, or poisoning and may order quarantine, care, or any necessary remedies.
Utah Code 4-31-115(1)(b) · Checked
(1) The commissioner may quarantine any infected domestic animal or area within the state to prevent the spread of infectious or contagious disease.
Utah Code 4-31-116(1) · Checked
(7) "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, mules, poultry, domesticated elk as defined in Section 4-39-102, or any other domestic animal or domestic furbearer raised or kept for profit.
Utah Code 4-1-109(7) · Checked
Individuals involved in poultry production from small backyard flock owners to large commercial producers should practice strong biosecurity measures, including keeping poultry away from waterfowl, and to monitor for symptoms of HPAI, which include:
If your birds are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact the state veterinarian’s office immediately at
UDAF Poultry HPAI page, "General Information", last line · Checked
2026 Poultry HPAI Utah Detections
UDAF Poultry HPAI page, table heading · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Utah
Applies to: Utah’s offence of cruelty to an animal (Utah Code 76-13-202), where an animal is a live, nonhuman vertebrate creature, subject to the exclusions the section lists.
Outside this finding's scope
- The section does not count livestock as an “animal” if the conduct toward it and the care it gets follow accepted animal husbandry practices or customary farming practices. Livestock here includes any domestic poultry raised, kept, or used for agricultural purposes. Whether a backyard flock is kept for agricultural purposes was not established.
- The section also lists other exclusions, and defences such as conduct by a licensed veterinarian using accepted veterinary practice, or humanely destroying an animal found suffering past recovery for any useful purpose. The section sets no numerical space standard.
What the checked sources say
- Necessary food, water, care, or shelter means, taking into account the animal’s species, age and physical condition, appropriate and essential food and water, adequate protection including appropriate shelter against extreme weather, and other essential care.
- Failing, without legal privilege, to provide these for an animal in your custody, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence, is cruelty to an animal. It is a class B misdemeanor if intentional or knowing, and a class C misdemeanor if reckless or criminally negligent. Legal privilege means an act authorized by state law that does not violate a local ordinance.
The official wording
(A) "Animal" means, except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B), a live, nonhuman vertebrate creature.
Utah Code 76-13-202(1)(a)(ii)(A) · Checked
(B) "Animal" does not include:
(III) livestock, if the conduct toward the creature, and the care provided to the creature, is in accordance with accepted animal husbandry practices or customary farming practices; or
Utah Code 76-13-202(1)(a)(ii)(B)(III) · Checked
(D) any domesticated nonhuman vertebrate creature, domestic furbearer, or domestic poultry, raised, kept, or used for agricultural purposes.
Utah Code 76-13-202(1)(a)(v)(D) · Checked
(vi) "Necessary food, water, care, or shelter" means the following, taking into account the species, age, and physical condition of the animal: (A) appropriate and essential food and water; (B) adequate protection, including appropriate shelter, against extreme weather conditions; and (C) other essential care.
Utah Code 76-13-202(1)(a)(vi) · Checked
(iv) "Legal privilege" means an act that: (A) is authorized by state law, including rules under Title 23A, Wildlife Resources Act; and (B) is not in violation of a local ordinance.
Utah Code 76-13-202(1)(a)(iv) · Checked
(2) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an actor commits cruelty to an animal if the actor, without legal privilege to do so, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence: (a) fails to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the actor's custody;
Utah Code 76-13-202(2)(a) · Checked
(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is: (a) a class B misdemeanor if committed intentionally or knowingly; or (b) a class C misdemeanor if committed recklessly or with criminal negligence.
Utah Code 76-13-202(3) · Checked
(5) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the conduct of the actor towards the animal was: (a) by a licensed veterinarian using accepted veterinary practice;
Utah Code 76-13-202(5)(a) · Checked
(d) by an actor who humanely destroys an animal found suffering past recovery for any useful purpose; or
Utah Code 76-13-202(5)(d) · Checked
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173, 2025 General Session
Utah Code 76-13-202, history line · Checked
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Utah
Applies to: Utah municipalities’ general land use authority (Utah Code 10-20-101) and counties’ general land use authority for unincorporated areas (Utah Code 17-79-101), which include ordinances governing uses of land.
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your county for unincorporated land, may enact land use ordinances, so check with it; whether Utah Code 4-1-110's family-food rule reaches keeping hens wasn't established. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules.
- Utah Code 4-1-110 says family food grown by an individual on the individual’s own property is not subject to local or federal regulation if growing it does not negatively impact the rights of adjoining property owners and complies with Title 4’s food safety requirements. Family food means food owned by an individual and intended for that individual’s own consumption or their immediate family’s, that is legal for human consumption, is lawfully possessed and poses no risk to health, of spreading plant pest infestation or of spreading agricultural disease. Whether that reaches keeping hens was not established.
What the checked sources say
- To carry out the purposes of the Municipal Land Use, Development, and Management Act, a Utah municipality may enact all ordinances, resolutions and rules, and other land use controls, that it considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land in the municipality, including ones governing uses.
- A county may do the same for land within its unincorporated area, subject to Subsection (4) of Utah Code 17-79-101 and to Section 11-41-103 (Section 11-41-103 was not read).
The official wording
(2) To accomplish the purposes of this chapter, a municipality may enact all ordinances, resolutions, and rules and may enter into other forms of land use controls and development agreements that the municipality considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land within the municipality, including ordinances, resolutions, rules, restrictive covenants, easements, and development agreements governing: (a) uses;
Utah Code 10-20-101(2)(a) · Checked
(b) Subject to Subsection (4) and Section 11-41-103, to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, a county may enact all ordinances, resolutions, and rules and may enter into other forms of land use controls and development agreements that the county considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land within the unincorporated area of the county
Utah Code 17-79-101(1)(b), opening · Checked
(i) uses;
Utah Code 17-79-101(1)(b)(i) · Checked
(2) Family food that is grown by an individual on the individual's property is not subject to local or federal regulation if growth of the family food: (a) does not negatively impact the rights of adjoining property owners; and (b) complies with the food safety requirements of this title.
Utah Code 4-1-110(2) · Checked
(1) As used in this section, "family food" means food owned by an individual that is intended for the individual's consumption, or for consumption by members of the individual's immediate family, that: (a) is legal for human consumption;
Utah Code 4-1-110(1), opening and (1)(a) · Checked
(b) is lawfully possessed; and (c) poses no risk: (i) to health; (ii) of spreading plant pest infestation; or (iii) of spreading agricultural disease.
Utah Code 4-1-110(1)(b)-(c) · Checked
Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Utah has the latest we've checked.
Next door
Every state on the map →Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Utah?
- Registration: not established. The finding covers: The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s (UDAF) premises ID registration and poultry dealer license, as described on UDAF’s own pages and form on 25 October 2026. Outside this finding's scope: No registration duty for people who simply keep poultry was found in Utah Code chapter 4-31 (read in full) or on the UDAF pages read. The Utah Administrative Code rules (including R58-6) were not read, so this is not proof that none exists.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Utah?
- The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. To carry out the purposes of the Municipal Land Use, Development, and Management Act, a Utah municipality may enact all ordinances, resolutions and rules, and other land use controls, that it considers necessary or appropriate for the use and development of land in the municipality, including ones governing uses. A county may do the same for land within its unincorporated area, subject to Subsection (4) of Utah Code 17-79-101 and to Section 11-41-103 (Section 11-41-103 was not read). No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your municipality, or your county for unincorporated land, may enact land use ordinances, so check with it; whether Utah Code 4-1-110's family-food rule reaches keeping hens wasn't established. This page names the state law, not its own ordinances, and doesn't cover HOA, rooster or setback rules. 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 Utah?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today. PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker page for Utah has the latest we've checked.
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