Oregon Backyard Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements vary by municipality and zoning. Find your researched Oregon city or county below.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Oregon?
Conditional — rules vary by municipality or zoning
- Hen limit
- Varies by city
- Roosters
- Varies by city; nuisance rules may also apply
- Permit
- Varies by municipality
- Setback
- Varies by municipality and zoning district
- Zoning
- Your city or county ordinance controls
Last verified: July 2026
Official source varies by municipalityOrdinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
5
Cities allow chickens
0
Cities ban chickens
0
Conditional rules
5
Cities covered
Important: Local zoning and animal ordinances determine whether a particular property qualifies. Confirm the city or county rule that applies to your address. HOA covenants can also be more restrictive.
Easiest cities
Strictest cities
Beaverton
Up to 4 hens. Chicken enclosures must be at least 20 ft from any neighboring dwelling.
Eugene
Up to 6 hens. Animal shelter structures must be at least 10 ft from all property lines unless the adjacent owner gives written authorization for a closer location.
Hillsboro
Up to 3 hens. All portions of a poultry enclosure must be at least 10 ft from every property line.
Portland
Up to 4 hens. No simple fixed chicken-coop setback was found on the reviewed city guidance; secure enclosure, sanitation, and lot-size limits apply.
Salem
Up to 12 hens. Poultry facilities must be in the rear yard, at least 3 ft from other buildings on the premises, and at least 25 ft from a residence on adjacent land.
About Oregon Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements in Oregon vary across cities, counties, and zoning districts. Local rules address flock size, roosters, permits, coop setbacks, sanitation, and property qualifications.
Always verify rules directly with your city clerk or planning department before purchasing birds or building a coop. Laws change — our pages include a last-verified date and link directly to the municipal code for each city.
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