1. Seattle, WA
In Seattle, WA, you can keep a limited number of chickens in your backyard without a permit. Per the City's Land Use Code, you may keep up to 8 chickens on any lot within the city. On a lot over 10,000 square feet that includes either an urban farm or a community garden, one additional chicken is allowed for every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area. Due to noise concerns, the city of Seattle prohibits roosters. The Land Use Code requires henhouses to be kept at least 10 feet away from neighboring dwellings.
2. Spokane, WA
The City of Spokane's municipal code permits backyard chickens in the following zones: RA, R1, R2, RMF, RHD, and any zone that permits dwelling units. You don't need a permit to own chickens in those zones. The number of backyard chickens you can have is restricted based on the size of your lot. The city code allows 1 chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area. For example, if you own a 10,000-square-foot lot, you may keep 10 chickens in your backyard. Except in RA zones, roosters are prohibited within the City of Spokane.
3. Tacoma, WA
The keeping of chickens and pigeons is permitted in residential areas within the City of Tacoma. By ordinance, you're allowed to keep no more than 6 chickens and 6 pigeons on your property. However, with written permission from your neighbors, you can have 10 chickens and 10 pigeons. For every 5,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet, one additional chicken or pigeon is allowed. The keeping of roosters is prohibited and henhouses must be located 12 feet from the nearest portion of any residence.
4. Vancouver, WA
In Vancouver, WA, you don't need a permit to keep chickens in your residential backyard. Furthermore, there is no required minimum lot size for the keeping of chickens in the city. Aside from chickens, the keeping of ducks and geese is also allowed in Vancouver, WA. However, the City Code prohibits the keeping of male chickens (roosters), turkeys, and peacocks. The number of hens or ducks you can have is not restricted but you comply with the city's nuisance laws.
5. Bellevue, WA
A Conditional Use Permit is required to have backyard chickens in Bellevue, Washington State. Under such a permit, you may keep no more than 6 chickens on any lot, regardless of its size. However, the keeping of more than six chickens is regulated as small domestic animals, which requires 20,000 square feet of lot area.
On a lot of 20,000 square feet, you may keep a maximum of 10 chickens. Then for every 1,500 square feet over 20,000 square feet, 1 additional chicken is allowed. Chicken coops containing 6 chickens may not be kept within 15 feet of a property line. Chicken coops containing more than 6 chickens may not be kept within 25 feet of a property line, according to the City Code.
6. Kent, WA
The City of Kent allows you to keep up to 3 chickens if your lot is at least 5,000 square feet. For every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area over the 5,000, one additional chicken is allowed. You need to keep your chicken coop at least 10 feet from your property line. Other domestic birds that you're permitted to keep in Kent include ducks, geese, and swans.
7. Everett, WA
In Everett, WA, you may keep 5 chickens in your backyard without a permit. But if you own 6 or more chickens you must obtain a small livestock permit, per the city's website. With a permit, you may keep up to 6 chickens on a lot of 10,000 square feet. On lots 10,001 – 15,000 square feet, up to 8 chickens may be kept. Up to 10 chickens may be kept on lots 15,001 – 35,000 square feet. By ordinance, the keeping of ducks, geese, and turkeys is also permitted in Everett, WA.
8. Renton, WA
In Renton, WA, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons are considered small lot domestic animals, the keeping of which is allowed in residential areas. Per the City Code, no more than 3 small lot domestic animals may be kept on a lot at least 4,500 gross square feet in size. One additional small lot domestic animal may be kept per every additional 1,000 gross square feet of lot area over the 4,500. The City of Renton does not permit the keeping of roosters or peafowl.
9. Federal Way, WA
In Federal Way, WA, you may keep chickens and/or ducks in any combination not exceeding a total of 4 on a lot up to 34,999 square feet. On a lot containing 35,000 square feet of area or more, a maximum of 20 chickens or ducks may be kept. All chicken pens and structures containing up to 20 birds must be located at least 40 feet from each property line.
You don't need a permit or license to own chickens or ducks in Federal Way, WA. However, if your chicken coop exceeds 200 square feet in size, you may be required to obtain a building permit. Federal Way Revised Code Chapter 19.260 prohibits the keeping of roosters in the city, except in Suburban Estate (SE) zones.
10. Bellingham, WA
You may keep domesticated fowl (ducks, chickens, geese, turkeys, or peafowl) without a permit in your residential backyard in Bellingham, WA. By ordinance, all domesticated fowl are required to be kept in an enclosure surrounded by a secure, well-built fence of sufficient height and strength. Such enclosures must be situated at least 50 feet away from any dwelling or other building in which persons work.
Other Washington State municipalities that allow backyard chickens
- Spokane Valley, WA - One chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area
- Yakima, WA - up to four hens, but no roosters
- Kirkland, WA - Up to 3 chickens per property
- Kennewick, WA - Up to 3 chickens (excluding roosters)
- Auburn, WA - Chickens are permitted in most areas
- Redmond, WA- Chickens are permitted in single-family zones
- Pasco, WA - Up to 3 chickens per property of 5,000 square feet
- Marysville, WA - 6 hens per residential lot less than one acre
- Richland, WA - Up to 5 chickens
- Lakewood, WA - 16 hens, ducks, or pigeons per acre
- Shoreline, WA - 12 hens per each half acre
- Lacey, WA - One hen per 10,000 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 10
- Olympia, WA - 5 hens or ducks per lot one acre or less
- Burien, WA - 3 hens
- Bremerton, WA - 5 hens per single-family residential lot
- Lynnwood, WA - 5 chickens per single-family residential lot
- Edmonds, WA - Up to 5 chickens
- Puyallup, WA - One chicken per 1,000 square feet of lot area
This list isn't exhaustive, meaning many more Washington State municipalities allow backyard chickens.
