Coop Ready Washington
Washington backyard chicken laws
Usually yes, but it depends on the city or county. Of the 10 places in Washington we have checked, 10 allow backyard hens on a typical home lot.
In Washington, chicken rules are set by each city, and by the county for land outside city limits. Find your place below for its hen limit, rooster rule, permit and coop distance, each linked to the code we read.
Places checked
10
Hens on a typical lot
10 of 10
Ban roosters
7 of 10
Need a permit or approval
3 of 10
State law in Washington: We found no Washington state law that limits what cities and counties can decide about backyard hens, so each city and county sets its own rules.
Chicken laws by city in Washington
| Place | Verdict | Hen limit | Roosters | Permit | Coop placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, WA | Hens allowed | 6 (more only on lots of 10,000 sq ft or more) | Not named; noise nuisance applies | No | Coop at least 15 ft from any property line; birds kept from coming within 15 ft of a line |
| Bellingham, WA | Hens allowed | No set limit | Allowed (a noisy rooster is an infraction) | No | Fowl confined so they cannot get within 50 ft of any dwelling or occupied building, including your own |
| Everett, WA | Hens allowed | 6 on lots up to 10,000 sq ft (more on larger lots) | Banned | Yes: a $50 yearly small livestock license for 6 or more chickens | Enclosures and pens at least 5 ft from adjacent properties; no coops in front yards |
| Kent, WA | Hens allowed | 3 on a 5,000 sq ft lot, plus 1 per extra 1,000 sq ft | Allowed; habitual crowing is a nuisance | No | Coop at least 10 ft from any other residential lot |
| Olympia, WA | Hens allowed | 5 on lots up to 1 acre (up to 10 on larger lots) | Banned | No | No coop distance stated |
| Redmond, WA | Allowed with a permit | 4 to 10 by lot size (none under 4,000 sq ft) | Banned | Yes: a chicken husbandry registration | Coop and run at least 15 ft from any property line (5 ft next to parks, schools, streets or wide easements) |
| Seattle, WA | Hens allowed | 8 | Banned | No | 10 ft from a neighbor's home |
| Spokane, WA | Hens allowed | 1 per 1,000 sq ft of lot | Banned outside the RA zone | No | Same setbacks as accessory structures |
| Tacoma, WA | Hens allowed | 6 (10 with neighbor consent; more on lots over 10,000 sq ft) | Banned | No (building permit only for a coop over 200 sq ft) | Coop at least 12 ft from the nearest part of any residence |
| Vancouver, WA | Hens allowed | No set limit | Banned | No | Shelter in the rear yard, meeting the house's side and rear setbacks |
Will your coop fit?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready checks the distances against your Washington city's rules. Then share the plan or print a free permit site plan.
Washington backyard chicken questions
Can you have backyard chickens in Washington?
Usually yes, but it depends on the city or county. Of the 10 places in Washington we have checked, 10 allow backyard hens on a typical home lot. Check your exact city or county, because the rules differ a lot from place to place.
Who sets chicken rules in Washington?
Each Washington city sets its own chicken rules. Outside city limits, the county's zoning and animal code decides.
Is there a Washington state law on backyard chickens?
We found no Washington state law that limits what cities and counties can decide about backyard hens, so each city and county sets its own rules.
Are roosters allowed in Washington?
7 of the 10 places we checked in Washington ban roosters on typical home lots. Check your city's page for its exact rule.
Can an HOA in Washington ban chickens?
No Washington statute overrides HOA rules on chickens. State HOA law protects drought-resistant landscaping and pollinator habitat, including beehives, but it does not mention chickens or poultry.
Keeping a healthy Washington flock
If you suspect bird flu or have unexplained deaths in your flock, call the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. Visit the official page ↗
More from Coop Ready
- Rooster laws by city
- Cities that ban chickens
- HOA chicken rules
- Coop setback rules
- Permit site plan checklist
- Arizona chicken laws
- California chicken laws
- Colorado chicken laws
- Florida chicken laws
- Georgia chicken laws
- Oregon chicken laws
- Texas chicken laws
See every city on Coop Ready →
Coop Ready is a free planning aid from Cooped Up Life, not legal advice. Codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with your city or county before you build.
