Laws on keeping poultry vary, but prepare to seek neighbors’ consent

By Joe Schoenmann

Saturday, May 9, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Chicken laws vary across the valley.

In Henderson, you can keep chickens but not within 350 feet of another dwelling unless that neighbor gives you written permission. You cannot, however, keep roosters no matter how complacent your neighbors. A spokeswoman said the number of chickens isn’t specified in the code, but would be dictated by language that says the area must be kept clean and free of odors.

In Las Vegas, you can keep up to 300 carrier pigeons but as in Henderson, you can’t keep poultry that’s within 350 feet of another dwelling without written consent. Roosters are also prohibited. And the chickens have to be kept in an enclosed, clean coop free of odors, waste, flies and “other offensive or unwholesome condition.”

In North Las Vegas, the code varies slightly in that it allows residents to keep chickens as long as they aren’t within 60 feet of another dwelling without written consent. But no roosters.

The rules in unincorporated Clark County are much more complicated, with different conditions for the various property zoning. In Rodney Balinski’s case, his Enterprise Township home is zoned rural-estate, which allows a “small livestock accessory use” with a maximum of 20 animals. The animals have to be for the owner’s use only. Go to

www.accessclarkcounty.com/, go to Public Records, then Clark County Code and search under Title 30 for conditions that may apply to your own property.