Chickens In Garages: Practicality, Legality, And Utah Regulations

Is it Ok to keep chickens in your garage?

This is a nice rambler with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 6 chicken garage. This might not be a listing you find on Zillow, but is it acceptable to keep chickens in your garage?

My neighbor took me to around his home and to the garage, "they are in here", he whispered like he was hiding some secret contraband. He had been telling me that he had chickens that he kept in his garage. As we entered, I noted that it was clean and carefully cared for. He had special cooling installed to keep them comfortable and asked the question at the beginning of this article, "Is it OK to keep chickens in your garage?" As if I was some authority on poultry etiquette.

I did some digging and found that of course a big part of that answer comes from where you live.

In Southern Utah you can have no more than six chickens for every 10,000 square feet, but the guidelines don't necessarily indicate that those 10,000 square feet have to be outside of the home. I mean you could maybe put your chickens in the living room. Don't shake your head, someone closer to you than you think might be considering it.

Roosters seem to be right out unless you are outside of the city.

If your home belongs to a homeowner's association there is probably a rule that indicates animal acceptance.

I also found that many people keep chickens. Some are adamant that doing so is acceptable and good. Some expect that same acceptance as any other pet, others are just hoping they won't be caught.

So I guess the answer lies behind several filters. Ethically it seems like if you keep the garage clean and temperate it is fine. Legally, it doesn't seem overtly prohibited as long as it is big enough for the number in your flock. Socially, you seem to be able to as long as you whisper to your friend that you have them before showing them off.