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📍 City Guide — Seattle, WA

Seattle, WA Backyard Chicken Ordinance: 8 Hens, No Permit

Seattle is one of the most permissive major cities in the U.S. for backyard chickens — 8 hens, no city permit, 10-foot setback. Here's the exact code, enforcement reality, and the specific rules most guides get wrong.

Seattle Quick Summary
Maximum hens: 8 · Roosters: Prohibited · Permit: Not required · Setback: 10 ft from property line · Code: Seattle Municipal Code § 23.42.052

What Seattle's Code Actually Says

Seattle Municipal Code § 23.42.052 governs "Keeping of Animals" in residential zones. The key provision for chickens: up to 8 domestic fowl (hens only — roosters are prohibited under SMC § 10.66.050, the Animal Code) are permitted as an accessory use to any residential lot in Seattle. No permit from the city is required. No registration. No annual fee.

The 10-foot setback applies to the chicken enclosure from any property line — measured from the outer wall of the coop or run to the nearest lot line. This is one of the smallest setback requirements of any major U.S. city, making Seattle very practical for the dense 4,000–6,000 square foot city lots common in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill, and Columbia City.

The Detail Most Guides Get Wrong

Seattle's code allows 8 domestic fowl per lot — not per household or per dwelling. On a lot with a primary house and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), the 8-hen limit still applies to the lot as a whole. Seattle has a high rate of ADU development; if you share a lot with a rental ADU, the combined household (yours + ADU tenant) can still only keep 8 hens total on that parcel.

Combining Chickens and Bees in Seattle
Seattle allows both chickens (up to 8 hens) and beehives (up to 4 colonies) on the same residential lot under separate provisions of SMC § 23.42.052. They're counted independently — you can have 8 hens AND 4 hives without either count affecting the other. The bee provisions have additional requirements (flyway fence, water source) that don't apply to chickens.

Seattle Enforcement Reality

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) handles zoning complaints; Seattle Animal Shelter handles animal welfare complaints. In practice, Seattle's chicken enforcement is light relative to many peer cities — the no-permit model means there's no administrative trigger for inspection, and complaints are handled reactively.

The most common enforcement triggers in Seattle: rooster noise (handled swiftly by Seattle Animal Shelter), feed attracting rats (Seattle has significant rat pressure), and enclosures in front yards (prohibited — rear yard only in most residential zones).

Seattle vs. Eastside Suburbs

CityLimitPermitSetback
Seattle8 hensNone10 ft
Bellevue3 hensNoneRear yard only
Kirkland6 hensNone10 ft
Redmond4 hensRequired10 ft
Renton4 hensRequired10 ft
Bothell4 hensNone10 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

No — Seattle's chicken provision requires a residential lot with outdoor space for an enclosure. Apartment and condo dwellers don't have access to a private lot. Condo CC&Rs would also almost certainly prohibit it regardless of city rules.
Possibly — with 8 hens and only a 10-foot setback, even small lots can accommodate a compact setup. A 4×8 coop with a 4×12 run (80 sq ft total) placed 10 feet from the rear property line works on many of Seattle's smaller lots. Use the Setback Calculator to map your specific lot and confirm.
No — Seattle requires no permit, registration, or documentation to keep up to 8 hens. The city does encourage (but not require) new chicken-keepers to review SDCI's guidance on responsible poultry keeping, available on the Seattle.gov website. Keep a note of SMC § 23.42.052 in case a code enforcement officer ever inquires — knowing your code citation is the fastest way to resolve any complaint.

Related Guides

SeattleSeattle Beehive OrdinanceUp to 4 hives — Seattle's detailed bee rules. StateWashington State OverviewOther WA cities and county rules. ToolCoop Size CalculatorHow much space do 8 hens actually need?

Recommended Resource

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens

Once you know your ordinance is clear, this is the most comprehensive beginner-to-experienced guide to actually keeping a healthy, productive flock. Covers breeds, coop design, feeding, health, and egg production.

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Disclaimer: General informational guidance only. Ordinances vary and change frequently. Always verify with your local planning department before acquiring animals.