Coop Ready District of Columbia Washington
Allowed with a permit
Yes, with a permit, but birds must be 50 ft from any home and 250 ft from property lines unless all neighbors within 100 ft agree in writing, which rules out most city lots.
Permits are issued for one year under 24 DCMR 902 and can be renewed.
Hen limit
No set number (the permit lists it)
Roosters
Not stated
Permit
Yearly permit (24 DCMR 902)
Coop placement
50 ft from any dwelling (including yours) and 250 ft from property lines unless all neighbors within 100 ft consent in writing
Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.
Read the official Washington rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Washington?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Washington rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Washington
How many chickens can I have in Washington?
The hen limit in Washington: no set number (the permit lists it).
Are roosters allowed in Washington?
DC's fowl rule (24 DCMR 902) does not name roosters. The permit covers all live fowl, and the only animal noise rule covers dogs.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Washington?
The permit rule in Washington: yearly permit (24 DCMR 902).
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Washington?
Where the coop can go in Washington: 50 ft from any dwelling (including yours) and 250 ft from property lines unless all neighbors within 100 ft consent in writing.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Washington allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More from Coop Ready
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- Permit site plan checklist
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- Colorado chicken laws
- Florida chicken laws
- Georgia chicken laws
- Oregon chicken laws
- Texas chicken laws
- Washington chicken laws
See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
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 Washington before you build.
