AZ · verified 2026-10-28
Gilbert, AZ
Short answerYes: the Town of Gilbert code sets a rodents and fowl limit by lot size (up to 5 on lots of 6,000 to 7,999 sq ft, up to 10 on lots of 8,000 to 9,999 sq ft and up to 25 on lots of 10,000 to 19,999 sq ft); roosters are allowed; the cited code does not mention a permit; and the coop setback is 5 ft.
Buying notes for backyard hens inside the Town of Gilbert corporate limits. HOA covenants and county rules outside city limits can differ.
Heads up: These rules apply inside the Town of Gilbert corporate limits only. An HOA or neighborhood covenant can still ban hens. Those private rules are usually not public, so HenCheck does not look them up.
Primary source: Gilbert Land Development Code § 2.107.A.1 Rodents and Fowl (single family residential districts).
At a glance
- Hen cap
- By lot size: 5 rodents and fowl (lots of 6,000 to 7,999 sq ft); 10 rodents and fowl (lots of 8,000 to 9,999 sq ft); 25 rodents and fowl (lots of 10,000 to 19,999 sq ft)
- Roosters
- Allowed
- Permit & fee
- Code does not mention a permit
- Setback
- 5 ft
Code cite: Gilbert Land Development Code § 2.107.A.1 Rodents and Fowl (single family residential districts).
The rule, quoted
Word for word from Gilbert Land Development Code § 2.107.A.1 Rodents and Fowl (single family residential districts).
How many hens
“On each lot that is at least 6,000 square feet and less than 8,000 square feet in area, any combination of rodents and fowl not to exceed 5 total animals is permitted.”
Chickens share the limit with other fowl and rodents. Lots under 6,000 sq ft get none under this rule. Above 20,000 sq ft, add 12 for each extra 10,000 sq ft.
Gilbert Land Development Code § 2.107.A.1 Rodents and Fowl (single family residential districts).
Roosters
“One (1) rooster over four months in age shall be permitted for each 20,000 square feet of lot area”
One rooster per 20,000 sq ft of lot, and it must not break the Town’s noisy-animal rule (Municipal Code Chapter 6, Section 6.2).
Permit and fee
Code does not mention a permit. Ask the city whether a permit is needed before you buy birds.
The Land Development Code lists no permit for fowl within these limits. Municipal Code Chapter 6 (Animals) is on Municode and was not checked.
Setback / screening
“Aviaries shall be located within the building envelope or the rear one-half of the lot. If located within the rear one-half of the lot, the aviary shall be a minimum of 5 feet from any property line.”
The coop (aviary) goes inside the buildable area or in the rear half of the lot, at least 5 ft from every property line.
Also in this section
8,000-9,999 sq ft lots
“On each lot that is at least 8,000 square feet and less than 10,000 square feet in area, any combination of up to 10 rodents and fowl is permitted.”
10,000+ sq ft lots
“On each lot that is at least 10,000 square feet and less than 20,000 square feet in area, any combination of up to 25 rodents and fowl is permitted.”
What to buy
Named products and shops are real. Confirm stock, shipping, and that the vet still sees poultry before you spend money.
Shared Phoenix, AZ metro list: same stores for every city in this metro.
Hatchery
Cackle Hatchery
Ships live chicks to Arizona via USPS Priority Mail. Cackle's FAQ lists Arizona among the states it ships to, with chicks going out Mondays and Wednesdays from February to August and Wednesdays only from August to late October. Order sexed pullets if your city bans roosters or does not address them.
Feed store
Tractor Supply — Phoenix (#2901)
Phoenix — 5680 S 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85041. (480) 447-2085. Store page lists livestock feed and farm supplies, including chicken coops, waterers and feeders.
Coop
OverEZ Medium Chicken Coop with Wooden 8 ft Chicken Run
Dimensions: Coop 50¼ in L × 52½ in W × 62¼ in H (includes nesting box), sized by OverEZ for up to 10 chickens; Wooden 8 ft run 8 ft W × 8 ft L × 6 ft 3 in H
Price: Coop $1,699.00 (Classic, Farmhouse or Coastal finish); Wooden 8 ft run $1,899.00. Prices as shown on overezchickencoop.com on 2026-10-22.
The coop footprint is about 4.2 ft × 4.4 ft and the run is 8 ft × 8 ft, so with the coop at the end of the run plan on roughly 8 ft × 12.5 ft. Measure your setback from the cited code before you pick a spot, and check any height limit: the run is 6 ft 3 in tall. OverEZ ships coops and runs by tractor-trailer freight to the end of your driveway; homes on roads a truck cannot reach may need to pick up at a freight terminal.
Vet
No verified poultry vet yet
We have not confirmed a clinic here that says it treats chickens. Call local vets and ask before you need one.
Verified 2026-10-28 against Gilbert Land Development Code § 2.107.A.1 Rodents and Fowl (single family residential districts). at https://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=8465. Read the live code before you build or order birds.