What the Ordinance Means in Practice
Tucson's ordinance is relatively permissive — up to 10 hens, no permit, 20-foot property line setback. The lack of a specific neighbor-dwelling setback makes compliance easier on typical Tucson lots. Coops must be maintained and cannot create an odor or noise nuisance. Pima County (unincorporated) has different rules — verify your specific jurisdiction before assuming Tucson rules apply.
Permit Office & Where to Apply
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N Silverbell Rd, Tucson AZ 85745 — (520) 724-5900
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 Tucson, AZ
- 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 Tucson, AZ's setback requirements.
Open Setback Calculator →Official Source
This page references Tucson Code Chapter 4 (Animal Control); Land Use Code Section 7.4.9. Ordinances change without notice — always verify current rules at the official source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson or by calling the permit office above.