What the Ordinance Means in Practice
Louisville Metro's urban agriculture ordinance allows up to 4 hens with a free annual permit. The permit must be renewed each year — lapsed permits put you in the same position as having no permit. Neighbor notification to immediately adjacent properties is required at initial application. Kentucky law update: HB 276 passed the Kentucky House in February 2026, which would prohibit cities from banning up to 6 hens — but has not yet passed the Senate or been signed into law. Louisville's current 4-hen limit would remain until/unless the bill passes and Louisville updates its code.
Permit Office & Where to Apply
Louisville Metro Animal Services, 3516 Newburg Rd, Louisville KY 40218 — (502) 473-7387
Call ahead to confirm current hours, whether online applications are accepted, and the exact documents required. Application requirements can change without updates to the city's public-facing website.
What You'll Need at Application
Requirements vary by city but typically include:
- Completed application form (from the permit office or city website)
- Hand-drawn site plan showing lot dimensions, house location, and coop position with setback measurements
- Number of hens requested (never exceed the city maximum)
- Permit fee (see above)
- Neighbor notification forms if required
Coop Requirements in Louisville, KY
- Fully enclosed — walls, roof, and predator-proof floor or skirting
- Predator-proof — hardware cloth over openings; buried or skirted to prevent digging entry
- Weather-tight — protects hens from rain, wind, and temperature extremes
- Maintained — no accumulated waste, no visible rodent activity, no standing water
- In the correct yard location — as specified in setbacks above
Check Your Setback Compliance
Use our free calculator to see if your specific lot dimensions can accommodate a compliant coop given Louisville, KY's setback requirements.
Open Setback Calculator →Official Source
This page references Louisville Metro Code Section 91.092. Ordinances change without notice — always verify current rules at the official source: https://library.municode.com/ky/louisville-jefferson_county_metro_government or by calling the permit office above.