HB 2483
Initials PAB/AH Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
House: LARA DP 9-0-0-0
HB2483: backyard fowl; regulation; prohibition
Sponsor: Representative Payne, LD 27
House Engrossed
Overview
Prohibits a municipality or county from adopting a zoning ordinance that bans those in a single-
family detached residence which is one-half acre or less from keeping fowl in their backyard but
allows municipalities and counties to establish certain requirements for keeping these animals.
History
Cities and towns (municipalities) have the general power to adopt and enforce zoning ordinances
that regulate certain aspects of land use (A.R.S. §§ 9-240, 9-499.01 and 9-462.01). Some Arizona
cities have adopted ordinances to regulate how many backyard fowl may be kept at a residence
and the conditions in which these animals may be kept:
1) In Phoenix, poultry may be kept in an enclosure within 80 feet of a residence if written
permission is given by each lawful occupant and owner of a residence within 80 feet of
the enclosure (Phoenix Municipal Codes Article III § 8-7);
2) In Chandler, an ordinance adopted in December 2022 allows up to five hens per yard so
long as the coop is set back at least five feet from all property lines;
3) In Scottsdale, fowl is allowed unless it is a frequent or habitual nuisance that disturbs a
neighborhood or any two or more persons (Scottsdale Code of Ordinances § 4-17);
4) In Flagstaff, small livestock such as chickens, ducks, rabbits, miniature goats and bees
are allowed on residential or educational property. Unless the property is located in Estate
and Rural Residential zoning, a permit is required to keep backyard livestock. On property
less than 20,000 square feet, up to 5 chickens are allowed so long as they are fenced in
to keep them on the owner's property and have at least 10 square feet of outdoor space
and 4 square feet of indoor space (Flagstaff City Code Chapter 6-03); and
5) In Tucson, residents may keep up to 24 chickens so long as they have an enclosure that
is not within 50 feet of the dwelling of another person. Coops must be kept in a clean and
sanitary condition (Tucson, Arizona Charter and General Ordinances § 4, Article IV).
Counties have a similar power to adopt and enforce such ordinances (A.R.S. §§ 11-251.05 and
11-811). For example, in 2017, the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved a zoning change
to allow residents to keep up to 8 hens in certain properties that are usually 6,000 to 8,000 square
feet in size. Single-family dwelling lots and manufactured home lots of 6,000 square feet or smaller
or multi-family dwellings could keep up to four hens per dwelling (Pima County Ordinance 2017-
36).
Provisions
1. Forbids a municipality or county from adopting a law, ordinance or regulation that prohibits a
resident of a single-family detached residence which is one-acre or smaller in size from
keeping fowl in the property's backyard. (Sec. 1 and 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2483
Initials PAB/AH Page 2 House Engrossed
2. Authorizes a municipality or county to:
a) Restrict the number of fowl that a resident may keep in the property's backyard to no more
than six;
b) Prohibit a resident from keeping male fowl;
c) Require fowl to be kept in an enclosure in the rear or side of the yard at least 15 feet from
a neighboring property and with a maximum size of 200 square feet and a maximum height
of 8 feet;
d) Require the enclosure to be maintained and manure picked up at least twice weekly;
e) Require that manure be kept in a way that prevents migration of insects;
f) Require that feed be stored in insect-proof and rodent-proof containers and
g) Prohibit fowl from running at large. (Sec. 1 and 2)
3. States that these provisions preempt local laws, ordinances and charter provisions. (Sec. 1
and 2)
4. Defines fowl. (Sec. 1 and 2)