The City of Austin publishes a fairly complete chicken keeping guide that includes links to all of the rules/regulations.

Follow the rules​

The keeping of chickens must comply with all sections of Title 3 of the City of Austin's land development code. Title 3 focuses specifically on animal regulation. Here are some rules to keep in mind when keeping chickens:

  • Animals cannot roam free § 3-2-1 except as specifically provided in this title, an owner or handler may not allow livestock, fowl, a dog, or other domestic or dangerous animal or reptile to run at large.
  • Animals cannot make excessive noise § 3-2-2. An owner or handler may not keep an animal that makes frequent or long, continued noise that is disturbing to a person of normal sensibilities.
  • Proper care must be provided for animals §3-2-5.
    • An animal’s owner shall keep the animal in a clean, sanitary, and healthy condition.
    • An animal’s owner or handler shall provide for the animal:
      • regular and adequate amounts of nutritious food that is appropriate for the species and that maintains the animal in good health;
      • a constant and adequate supply of clean, fresh, potable water that keeps the animal hydrated for environmental conditions; and
      • care and medical treatment for injuries, parasites and diseases that is sufficient to maintain the animal in good health and minimize suffering.
    • An animal’s owner shall provide the animal with shelter that:
      • is large enough for the animal to enter, stand, turn around and lie down in a natural manner;
      • keeps the animal dry;
      • provides the animal with natural or artificial shade from direct sunlight;
      • protects the animal from excessive heat and cold and other adverse weather conditions; and
      • is adequately ventilated.
    • An animal’s owner may not confine the animal to the extent that it is forced to stand, sit or lie in its own excrement.
    • An animal’s owner shall regularly maintain the animal and its shelter to prevent odor or a health or sanitation problem.
    • An animal’s owner shall provide the animal with exercise space that is large enough to prevent injury and keep the animal in good condition.
    • It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the animal’s treatment was as directed by a licensed veterinarian.
  • Place fowl enclosures correctly §3-2-16. An enclosure used to keep two or more fowl must be located at least 30 feet from a residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business of the fowl's owner or handler.
Also, be sure to check and HOA, neighborhood or property-specific guidelines.
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They also created a chicken keeping class that goes over a lot of this material.

Of note, as of 10-20-2022, rules around chicken enclosure regulations were modified to lower the required distance to neighbors from 50 to 30 feet.
  • § 3-2-16 - ENCLOSURE FOR FOWL.

    SHARE LINK TO SECTION PRINT SECTION DOWNLOAD (DOCX) OF SECTIONS EMAIL SECTION COMPARE VERSIONS
    (A) A person shall keep fowl in an enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 3-2-11 (Enclosure Required) and has four secure sides with overhead cover.
    (B) A coop, pen, or crate that meets the requirements of Subsection (A) can be used as an enclosure.
    (C) An enclosure cannot exceed the height restrictions of a fence located on the owner or handler's property.
    (D) An enclosure used to keep fowl must be located at least 30 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure, excluding the residence or business of the fowl's owner or handler.
    (E) An enclosure used to keep fowl must be located at least 50 feet from an adjacent residence or business structure if the fowl or the enclosure creates a health hazard.
    Source: 1992 Code Section 3-2-26; Ord. 031009-9; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20131121-020;Ord. No. 20221013-030, Pt. 1, 10-24-22.
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There was a previously published article for rules/regulations in Austin, but some of that information is now out of date