Can I keep chickens in Bellevue, WA?
Yes — Bellevue allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (LUC 20.20.130, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Coop rules | No structure housing a household pet (incl. fowl) within 15 ft of a property line; outdoor restraint within 15 ft of property line only in fully fenced yard. |
| Code section | LUC 20.20.130 |
Bellevue LUC 20.20.130 allows up to 6 fowl as household pets on residential lots with no minimum lot size and no permit; more than six fowl are regulated as small domestic animals (10,000-20,000 sqft min lot, 25 ft setbacks). No pet-housing structure within 15 ft of a property line; outdoor restraint within 15 ft of property line only in a fully fenced yard. Verified against full code text, current through Ord. 6911 (April 2026).
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bellevue?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bellevue (LUC 20.20.130).
How many chickens can I keep in Bellevue?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bellevue?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Bellevue.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bellevue?
15 feet minimum. No structure housing a household pet (incl. fowl) within 15 ft of a property line; outdoor restraint within 15 ft of property line only in fully fenced yard.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bellevue?
LUC 20.20.130. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
LUC 20.20.130 — read the official code
“Fowl: 6 ... (D) More than six fowl are regulated as small domestic animals.” source
“Fowl: 6 ... More than six fowl are regulated as small domestic animals.” source
“No structure to house the household pet may be within 15 feet of a property line.” source
“No structure to house the household pet may be within 15 feet of a property line.” source
Last verified July 7, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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