Can I Have Chickens In My Backyard in Oregon?

Oregon’s lush landscapes, thriving farmers’ markets, and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability make it the perfect place to embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Across the state, families are turning their backyards into small-scale homesteads as they gather farm-fresh eggs each morning, reduce their environmental footprint, and support ethical food sourcing right at home.

Still, the ability to keep chickens, sell their eggs, or build a backyard coop depends on your property’s zoning and your city’s specific regulations. In this article, we’ll walk through those local requirements so you can answer the question: Can I Have Chickens in My Backyard in Oregon?

Is It Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Oregon?

Yes, while no statewide legislation permits them, most Oregon areas are friendly towards backyard chickens. Of course, regulations vary by city and county, so be sure to check with your local officials to see if they are allowed in your area.

Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Oregon?

Yes, most areas require permits to keep backyard chickens. However, some places, like Portland and Salem, do not require one. 

Building permits or zoning approval may also be required for your chicken coop, but exact requirements vary depending on where you live. Find your city below to determine which permits you need. 

How Many Chickens Can I Have in Oregon?

On average, most areas in Oregon allow between 3 and 6 hens. Once again, the exact number you can have depends on where you live, your property’s size, and zoning. For example, while Gresham allows only three chickens, Salem allows up to 12. To find out how many you can have, skip to your city below. 

Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?

No, most areas require them to be kept in an enclosure at all times. However, in some places, they can be let out in your backyard so long as it is fenced in or they do not wander onto neighboring properties. 

The best way to comply with local regulations is to find a chicken coop with an attached run. This allows chickens to be securely inside during the night but wander around freely outside without the potential for them to wander off. 

Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Oregon?

No, most areas will not allow you to have roosters unless your property is over a specific size or zoned for agricultural uses so that their crowing does not disturb your neighbors. Contact your city or county officials below to determine if your property is large enough or zoned properly for roosters. 

Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Oregon?

No, at least, not in most cases. Backyard chickens kept on residential properties are only permitted if they are kept for personal use, meaning their eggs aren’t sold. To determine if that is the case in your area, contact your local officials listed below.

If your locality’s regulations or your property’s zoning don’t prohibit you from selling your eggs, you may sell them under the following conditions:

• No license is required if you sell directly to consumers from your farm or at a farmer’s market, but eggs must be labeled appropriately and cooled according to these guidelines.
• If you sell eggs to retailers, food service establishments, distributors, or other business owners, you must obtain an egg handling license. 

Chicken Laws For Cities in Oregon

In most cases, backyard chicken laws are set by city officials. Below, you’ll find a list of Oregon cities along with the best contact for learning your local requirements. Click on your city to go directly to details about its backyard chicken regulations.

If you live in an unincorporated area, your county sets the rules instead. We’ve included a table of all Oregon counties with contact information for their planning departments so you can easily find out what’s allowed on your property.

Does Albany, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, so long as the following conditions are met:

• No more than 6 chickens per lot
• Roosters are not kept in residential areas
• Chickens are kept in a secure enclosure that:
  • Has a concrete floor
  • It is kept clean at all times

To keep chickens in your backyard in Albany, you must apply to the City Planning Department for approval.

Does Aloha, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

The city of Aloha is unincorporated and follows Washington County’s requirements for keeping backyard chickens. The county doesn’t regulate the number of roosters or chickens you may have, but does have requirements for coops, including:

• Coops larger than 51 square feet must be 30 feet from any property line and 100 feet from any nearby house
• All structures must be at least 3 feet from property lines and meet district setback requirements

To learn more about applicable requirements, contact the Washington County Planning Department. 

Does Beaverton, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you can keep up to 4 hens at single-family homes and duplexes with lots of at least 5,000 square feet or greater, but no roosters are permitted.

Chicken coops are subject to requirements as well, including:

• Being free of odors, kept clean, dry, and in good repair
• Prevents the entry of rodents and predators
• Must meet applicable setback requirements as outlined by your zoning district

To ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, contact the Beaverton Planning Department.

Does Bend, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you can keep 4 hens, no roosters, on properties with 5,000 square feet or more. A permit is likely required, and chickens must be kept in a coop meeting your zoning district’s setback requirements. To ensure compliance with additional requirements, contact the Planning Department.

Does Bethany, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Bethany is also an unincorporated city in Washington County, which means it follows the county’s requirements. Therefore, backyard chickens are permitted as they are not regulated. However, they must be kept in a coop that meets the following criteria:

• Coops larger than 51 square feet must be 30 feet from any property line and 100 feet from any nearby house
• All structures must be at least 3 feet from property lines and meet district setback requirements

For any questions, contact the county Planning Department. 

Does Corvallis, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, but the specific requirements are unclear. A permit must be obtained from the Animal Control Officer, who can likely provide you with specific information on the number permitted, coop requirements, and more. 

Does Eugene, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, they are permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 residential districts, provided that the following conditions are met:

• For properties with 20,000 square feet or less: 6 hens over 6 months of age and 6 under 6 months are permitted; roosters are strictly prohibited.
• For properties with 20,000 square feet or more: Contact Land Use at 541-682-8336 to find out how many you can keep and the setback requirements.
• A coop or other enclosure is required and must be consistent with the following standards:
  • It is located 10 feet from any property lines
  • Meets accessory structure requirements in your zoning district
  • A building permit is NOT required unless the structure is 200 square feet or more in area and 10 feet or taller

Contact the Planning & Development Department for more information or to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Does Grants Pass, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, it appears you can keep up to 5 chickens in city limits, so long as no roosters are kept, and they are kept in an enclosure. A permit is required if the enclosure exceeds a certain square footage. Additional details are unclear. For more information on what is allowed, contact the Planning Department.

Does Gresham, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you may keep chickens in your backyard in Gresham with a permit certifying that:

• No roosters are kept
• You have no more than 3 hens on a residential property with a single-family dwelling
• Chickens are kept in a coop that is:
  • 25 feet from any neighbor’s home
  • 10 feet from property lines
  • Provides 2 square feet of floor space per chicken
  • Located in the rear yard only
  • Protects chickens from predators

Contact the Urban Design & Planning Department for permitting assistance.

Does Hillsboro, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, they may be kept with a permit verifying that your keeping of backyard chickens meets the following standards:

• For residential properties with 7,000 to 10,000 square feet: No more than 3 chickens are kept
• For properties between 10,000 square feet and 1 acre: No more than 6 chickens are kept
• For properties of 1 acre or more: No more than 9 chickens are kept
• Roosters are not kept
• Chickens are kept in an enclosure that:
  • It is 10 feet from any property line
  • Is kept in clean & sanitary conditions at all times
  • Meets all requirements for an accessory structure in your zoning district

Contact the Planning & Development Department for help with permitting and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Does Keizer, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, they are permitted if the following standards are met:

• No more than 6 hens may be kept 
• Roosters are prohibited
• They are kept for personal use only; eggs may not be sold
• Chickens are kept in a coop with an attached run that:
  • Is separate from the main building by a minimum of 6 feet
  • Meets the setback requirements of your zoning district

For more information on setback or permitting requirements, contact the Planning Department.

Does Lake Oswego, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, as they have no restrictions in place. However, regulations regarding chicken coops exist, so be sure to check with the Planning Department at 503-635-0290.

Does Medford, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, but only if it complies with the following provisions:

• They are only kept for personal use
• Roosters are prohibited
• The chicken coop or other enclosure is not located within 4 feet of any property lines
• They are not kept in the front yard

The exact number of chickens and the permitting information are unclear. Contact the Planning Department for more details. 

Does McMinnville, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, provided that the following requirements are met:

• They are not kept on properties with less than 5,000 square feet
• You can have up to 2 on a lot of 5,000 square feet, and then an additional hen for every additional 1,000 square feet
• No roosters are allowed
• They are kept in an enclosure that:
  • It is not located in the front yard
  • It is 70 feet or more from the front property line
  • It is 15 feet or more from the side property lines
  • It is 10 feet from the rear property lines

Additional information regarding permitting or other requirements is unclear. Contact the Planning Department for more details.

Does Oregon City, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

It is unclear what the city allows. Please contact the Planning Department for more information.

Does Portland, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you may have chickens in Portland, Oregon, so long as:

• No more than 4 are kept on lots of any size
• Properties with 10,000 square feet or more have no more than 6
• There is no maximum number for lots of 20,000 square feet or more if they are zoned for agricultural uses
• They are kept in a coop or other enclosure that meets the setbacks of your zoning district 

While permits are not required, confirming setback and other zoning requirements with the City Planning Department is essential.

Does Redmond, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, you may keep a chicken for every 500 square feet of property space in Redmond, Oregon, provided that the chicken is kept in a coop or enclosure located in the rear yard and is not closer than 50 feet from any neighboring residence. To ensure all applicable requirements are met, contact the Planning Department.

Does Salem, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, the city allows up to 12 chickens and does not permit roosters. A permit is not required, but chickens must be kept in an attached run that meets the following requirements:

• Only located in the rear yard
• It is 3 feet from any other buildings on the property
• It is 25 feet from any adjacent residents on neighboring properties
• It meets all the requirements of your zoning district

To ensure all zoning district requirements are met, contact the Community Planning Department.

Does Springfield, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, but only in the Low-Density Residential district (LDR). They must be kept under the following conditions:

• On properties of any size: 1- 4 chickens
• On properties of 10,000 square feet: 5
• For each additional 1,000 square feet over 10,000 square feet: 1 more chicken may be kept

They may be required to be kept in a coop that meets specific requirements, and a permit may also be required. For more information on this, contact the Planning & Development Department.

Does Tigard, Oregon, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, provided that they are kept in a chicken coop that is located at least 5 feet from all property lines and roosters are not kept. Since the number of chickens you can have and other requirements are unclear, please contact the Planning Department for more information. 

Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Oregon By County

Some cities and towns, like Aloha and Bethany, may be located in unincorporated areas, which means they must follow county rules. Below is a list of all Oregon counties and their appropriate contacts to help you determine the correct regulations.

Ready To Start Your Backyard Chicken-Keeping Journey?

Now that you know what’s allowed in your area, you’re one step closer to gathering farm-fresh eggs from your own backyard. The next step is creating a coop that fits your space, meets local requirements, and keeps your flock safe and healthy.

At The Hen House Collection, we make that simple. You can design a custom coop built to your city’s standards with the size, run, and features your hens need, including easy-to-clean layouts and predator-proof materials. Explore your options and start building today so your flock has a home that’s ready when you are.