Urban Agriculture and Livestock Regulations in Fayetteville
Fayetteville residents are permitted to keep limited numbers of ducks, female chickens, honeybees, and miniature goats on single-family residential or educational lots. These urban agriculture activities are subject to strict quantity limits based on lot size, and all coops, hives, or shelters must meet mandatory separation distances from neighboring residential structures. Traditional large livestock and certain activities like hog raising or commercial breeding require much larger setbacks and are generally restricted to the R-A, Residential Agricultural district.
General Livestock Restrictions
In the City of Fayetteville, it is generally unlawful to allow any domesticated animal or fowl to run at large. The Fayetteville Unified Development Code restricts the keeping of livestock and farm animals to the R-A, Residential Agricultural district and other specific districts where agricultural or animal husbandry use units are permitted by right [Section 164.04(A)].
For lots not in an agricultural district, the City of Fayetteville permits limited "Urban Agriculture" (fowl, bees, and goats) under the specific conditions outlined in the sections below. All other livestock uses must maintain the following minimum separation distances from the boundary of a Residential (R) district or a dwelling on the same premises:
| Livestock Use or Structure | Minimum Separation Distance |
|---|---|
| Chicken coops (on adjacent lots) | 25 feet |
| Animal hospital, commercial breeding, kennel, or egg farm | 50 feet |
| Dairy farm, poultry farm, or raising of cattle, goats, horses, sheep, or rabbits | 100 feet |
| Hog raising or livestock assembly/shipment | 200 feet |
Keeping of Fowl (Ducks and Chickens)
The City of Fayetteville permits the keeping of ducks and female chickens (hens) on lots where the principal use is educational or single-family residential [Section 164.04(B)].
Requirements for Fowl
- Species Limits: Only ducks and female chickens are allowed. Roosters are strictly prohibited within the City of Fayetteville.
- Flight Prevention: Birds must be a breed that cannot fly or must be wing-clipped to prevent flight.
- Quantity: The number of birds allowed depends on the size of the residential lot:
| Lot Size | Maximum Number of Fowl |
|---|---|
| 5,000 square feet or less | 4 fowl |
| Greater than 5,000 square feet | 4 fowl + 1 per additional 1,250 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Total | 20 fowl |
- Slaughtering: Outside slaughtering of fowl is prohibited.
- Enclosures: Fowl must be provided with a well-ventilated coop or roost providing at least 3 square feet per bird. These structures must be located in the side or rear yard and must be at least 25 feet away from any residential structure on an adjacent lot [Section 164.04(B)].
Beekeeping (Honeybees)
Honeybee colonies may be maintained on educational or single-family residential properties within the City of Fayetteville [Section 164.04(C)].
Requirements for Hives
- Quantity: The number of hives permitted is based on lot size:
| Lot Size | Maximum Number of Hives |
|---|---|
| 5,000 square feet or less | 2 hives |
| Greater than 5,000 square feet | 2 hives + 1 per additional 2,500 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Total | 4 hives |
- Location: Hives must be located in a side or rear yard. They must be at least 20 feet from a securely fenced property line or 100 feet from an unfenced property line.
- Prohibited Bees: Africanized honeybees are strictly prohibited in the City of Fayetteville.
- Registration: All hives must be registered through the Arkansas State Plant Board [Section 164.04(C)].
Keeping of Goats
Fayetteville residents may keep goats on educational or single-family residential properties, provided they are specific miniature breeds [Section 164.04(D)].
Requirements for Goats
- Allowed Breeds: Only female dwarf or pygmy goats are permitted. They must weigh less than 85 pounds and stand no taller than 22.5 inches at the withers. Male goats (bucks) are prohibited.
- Lot Size and Quantity: Goats are not permitted on small residential lots. The lot must be at least 10,000 square feet.
| Lot Size | Maximum Number of Goats |
|---|---|
| Less than 10,000 square feet | Prohibited |
| 10,000 - 14,999 square feet | 2 goats |
| 15,000 square feet or more | 3 goats |
- Registration: All goats must have RFID microchips and be registered with the Fayetteville Animal Services Program.
- Enclosures and Setbacks: Residents must provide a secure, fenced yard with at least 200 square feet of area per goat. A shelter of at least 5 square feet per goat is required. The shelter must be located at least 50 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent lot [Section 164.04(D)].
- Slaughtering: Onsite slaughtering of goats is prohibited.
Sections Cited
- Section 164.04 - Urban Agriculture (Fowl, Bees & Goats)