Tacoma, WA Chicken Laws: Hens, Roosters, Permits and Coop Rules

Coop Ready Washington Tacoma

Hens allowed

Yes. Tacoma allows backyard hens on a typical single-family home lot.

Up to 10 birds are allowed with written consent from the owners of all homes within 50 ft, filed with the City Clerk. One more bird is allowed per 5,000 sq ft of lot over 10,000 sq ft. Coops must be behind the front wall of the house and out of the required side yard.

Hen limit

6 (10 with neighbor consent; more on lots over 10,000 sq ft)

Roosters

Banned

Permit

No (building permit only for a coop over 200 sq ft)

Coop placement

Coop at least 12 ft from the nearest part of any residence

Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.

Read the official Tacoma rules ↗ Checked October 2026.

Will your coop fit in Tacoma?

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Backyard chicken questions in Tacoma

How many chickens can I have in Tacoma?

The hen limit in Tacoma: 6 (10 with neighbor consent; more on lots over 10,000 sq ft).

Are roosters allowed in Tacoma?

No. Tacoma bans roosters on typical home lots.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Tacoma?

The permit rule in Tacoma: no (building permit only for a coop over 200 sq ft).

How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Tacoma?

Where the coop can go in Tacoma: coop at least 12 ft from the nearest part of any residence.

Can my HOA ban chickens if Tacoma allows them?

Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.

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Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Tacoma before you build.