Does Washington Have a Statewide Backyard Chicken Law?
Washington State has no statewide backyard chicken law. The state's Right to Farm Act protects commercial farming operations. Backyard chicken rules are entirely local — set by cities and counties. Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane have explicit ordinances; smaller cities often default to general livestock rules.
HOA Authority in Washington
Washington HOAs can ban chickens. RCW 64.38.033 protects the right to display the U.S. flag but does not address poultry. There is no Washington statute preventing HOA chicken bans. In practice, many HOAs in Western Washington's master-planned communities restrict chickens.
Cities in Washington
Select a city below for a detailed ordinance guide, or use the Ordinance Finder tool to look up your city's rules.
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Bellevue
- Kirkland
- Redmond
- Olympia
- Vancouver (WA)
Seattle is among the most permissive large cities in the U.S. — 8 hens, no permit, 5-foot setback. Tacoma mirrors Seattle. Spokane has a tiered system where 3 hens require no license, and up to 6 require an annual license.
General Advice for Washington Residents
Even if your city allows backyard chickens, there are always additional layers to check: your specific zoning classification, your HOA's CC&Rs, and whether a permit is required before you bring hens home. Use our free checklist to work through each step.