Backyard Chickens in Austin, TX: What Homeowners Need to Know
Backyard Chickens in Austin: Can Your Neighborhood Welcome Feathered Friends?
Dreaming of fresh eggs from your own backyard? Many Austinites are embracing the joys of keeping chickens—whether for food security, sustainability, or simply the companionship of these lovely creatures. The good news? Austin allows backyard chickens! But if you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), there may be extra rules to consider.
At Open House Austin, we love helping buyers find properties that fit their lifestyle—including space for a coop! But before you bring home the hens, here’s what to know about Austin’s backyard chicken rules, zoning, and ideal setups for chicken-friendly homes.
Austin’s Chicken Rules
The city’s regulations are pretty straightforward:
• You can keep chickens, but coops for two or more must be 30 feet from neighboring homes.
• No roosters in most areas.
• No special permits required—just a safe, sanitary setup.
HOAs & Chickens: What to Know
While Austin supports backyard chickens, some HOAs have restrictions—ranging from total bans to limits on the number of birds or coop placement. If your HOA doesn’t currently allow them, change is possible! In Texas, 67% of homeowners must vote in favor of an amendment to update HOA rules.
Finding a Chicken-Friendly Home
If having backyard chickens is part of your dream lifestyle, it helps to work with a real estate agent who gets it. Some Austin communities are more welcoming to chickens than others, and finding the right home can make all the difference.
Looking for a chicken-friendly home or navigating HOA rules? Let’s chat! I’d love to help you find a place that supports your vision of homegrown food and sustainability.
Nevia brings a soulful, sustainable approach to real estate—helping people find homes that heal, ground, and inspire. With a background in sustainability and a passion for holistic living, she loves guiding clients toward thoughtful decisions that support both their lifestyle and the planet.
When she’s not helping clients, you’ll find Nevia gardening, volunteering at Boggy Creek Farm, hiking with her dog Primrose, or grabbing a pastry at Confituras. She’s passionate about the intersection of food, community, and real estate—and dreams of one day building a homestead in Barcelona.
Looking for an agent who blends creativity, intention, and a love for the land? Nevia’s your person.
