HeraldNet: Can you keep chickens in your backyard?



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Mudrakers

August 15, 2008

Can you keep chickens in your backyard?

Posted at 2:54 pm by Debra Smith

Can you keep chickens in your backyard?

Depends on your address.

Because chickens occupy a no man’s land between livestock and pets, municipalities have vastly different stances on whether you can keep them.

Some cities ban chickens. Most, including Seattle, allow them with restrictions. Many cities ban roosters, for instance.

I'm working on a story about gardening and chickens. The vast differences in policy are eye-opening. In Everett, for instance, you can keep up to six chickens but not roosters. Forget having any chickens if you live over the line in Mukilteo. And if you live in Lake Stevens, you can keep as many as you like, as long as you don't bother the neighbors.

Here's what I've found so far:

Arlington: No restrictions on the number of hens and roosters.
Edmonds: Edmonds used to require residents to register chickens, but they are no longer allowing them.
Everett: Up to six chickens but roosters aren’t allowed.
Lake Stevens: No restrictions on the number of hens and roosters.
Mill Creek: Those with yards 7,200-square-feet and larger can keep up to six chickens. Roosters aren’t allowed.
Mukilteo: Not allowed.
Seattle: Three chickens per standard lot, with an additional one bird allowed per additional 1,000-square-feet.

It’s a good idea to contact the zoning and land use department before getting chickens so that all rules and regulations are understood.

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