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Ever dream of collecting eggs for breakfast from your
own chickens? Many people don’t believe it possible to have this experience
in the city, but laying hens' small space requirements and pleasant dispositions
make them a wonderful addition to any backyard. Managing your own
chickens is an extremely rewarding experience. You’ll have a source of
fresh, nutritious eggs right out your back door; and the satisfaction of
knowing that your hens are fed a healthy, well-balanced diet and have plenty
of space to roam and eat bugs, weeds, and grass. Chickens make a great pair
with a garden, as they love to eat your vegetable scraps and leftover
greens. Chicken care is a fun and educational experience for children, and
will give them a connection to their food that they’ll never forget.
Chickens don’t require much space for a happy and
healthy life. The more space you provide for them, the better; but 3 laying
hens can live comfortably (with plenty of room for scratching, exploring,
and roosting) in a 3 by 10 foot space. Many people are concerned that a
chicken coop will have a strong odor, but a properly managed coop has almost
no smell other than that of fresh straw.
If you’re interested in having a chicken coop in your
yard, we offer services ranging from planning and design to installations to
monthly maintenance. We’re happy to help you learn how to manage and care
for your hens, and can provide you with local sources for organic feed and
bedding.
Take a look at the City Ordinance for keeping all
types of barnyard creatures:
Seattle Municipal Code
Title 23 - LAND USE CODE
Subtitle III Land Use Regulations
Division 2 Authorized Uses and Development Standards
Chapter 23.42 - General Use Provisions
SMC 23.42.052 Keeping of Animals.
The keeping of small animals, farm animals, domestic fowl and bees is
permitted outright in all zones as an accessory use to any principal use
permitted outright or to a permitted conditional use, in each case subject
to the standards of this Section.
A. Small Animals. Up to three (3) small animals may be kept accessory to
each business establishment or dwelling unit on a lot, except as follows:
1. In no case is more than one (1) miniature potbelly pig allowed per
business establishment or dwelling unit (see subsection B of this section).
2. In single-family zones,
a. accessory dwelling units shall not be considered separate dwelling units
for the purpose of this section;
b. up to four (4) small animals are permitted on lots of at least twenty
thousand (20,000) square feet; and
c. one (1) additional small animal is permitted for each five thousand
(5,000) square feet of lot area in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) square
feet. Accessory structures, including kennels, for four (4) or more animals
must be at least ten (10) feet from any other lot in a residential zone.
B. Miniature Potbelly Pigs. That type of swine commonly known as the
Vietnamese, Chinese, or Asian Potbelly Pig (Sus scrofa bittatus) may be kept
as a small animal, provided that no swine that is greater than twenty-two
(22) inches in height at the shoulder or more than one hundred fifty (150)
pounds in weight may be kept in the City.
C. Domestic Fowl. Up to three (3) domestic fowl may be kept on any lot in
addition to the small animals permitted in subsection A. For each one
thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area in excess of the minimum lot area
required for the zone or, if there is no minimum lot area, for each one
thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area in excess of five thousand (5,000)
square feet, one (1) additional domestic fowl may be kept.
D. Farm Animals. Cows, horses, sheep and other similar farm animals are
permitted only on lots of at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. The
keeping of swine is prohibited, except for miniature potbelly pigs allowed
under subsection B of this section.
1. One (1) farm animal for every ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot
area is permitted.
2. Farm animals and structures housing them must be kept at least fifty (50)
feet from any lot in a residential zone.
E. Beekeeping. Beekeeping is permitted outright as an accessory use, when
registered with the State Department of Agriculture, provided that:
1. No more than four (4) hives, each with only one (1) swarm, shall be kept
on lots of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
2. Hives shall not be located within twenty-five (25) feet of any lot line
except when situated eight (8) feet or more above the grade immediately
adjacent to the grade of the lot on which the hives are located or when
situated less than eight (8) feet above the adjacent existing lot grade and
behind a solid fence or hedge six (6) feet high parallel to any property
line within twenty-five (25) feet of a hive and extending at least twenty
(20) feet beyond the hive in both directions.
(Ord. 122311 , Section 23, 2006)
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