Can I keep chickens in Redmond, WA?
Yes, with conditions — Redmond allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 10 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (RMC 7.04.157, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 10 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 4,000 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Fully enclosed predator/rodent-resistant shelter at least 15 ft from any property line (reducible to 5 ft next to nonresidential uses/easements/rights-of-way), max 200 sq ft and 8 ft tall, not in front yard, screened from streets; runs max 6 ft tall, covered. |
| Code section | RMC 7.04.157 |
Redmond allows female chickens only in Neighborhood Residential, Urban Recreation, and RA-5 zones: 0 hens under 4,000 sq ft, 4 hens at 4,000-5,999 sq ft, scaling to 10 at 18,000+ sq ft. Not permitted in R-8, multifamily, urban center, or business zones. Chicken husbandry registration required before housing chickens. Personal-consumption slaughter limited to one chicken per property per 24 hours in residential zones.
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Can I keep chickens in Redmond?
Yes, with conditions — Redmond allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (RMC 7.04.157).
How many chickens can I keep in Redmond?
Up to 10 hens. 0-10 hens by lot-size tier in NR zone (0 under 4,000 sqft; 4 at 4,000-5,999; 10 at 18,000+); registration required; mid-tier table pending full extraction. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Redmond?
Yes — Redmond requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Redmond?
No — roosters are prohibited in Redmond.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Redmond?
15 feet minimum. Fully enclosed predator/rodent-resistant shelter at least 15 ft from any property line (reducible to 5 ft next to nonresidential uses/easements/rights-of-way), max 200 sq ft and 8 ft tall, not in front yard, screened from streets; runs max 6 ft tall, covered.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Redmond?
Yes — 4,000 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Redmond?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in RMC 7.04.157.
What law covers backyard chickens in Redmond?
RMC 7.04.157. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
RMC 7.04.157 — read the official code
“Female chickens, pullets or hens, hereby referred to as chickens, are allowed in the Neighborhood Residential zone, the Urban Recreation zone, the RA-5 zone, and on publicly owned park properties.” source
“NR lots 18,000 square feet or greater | 10 ... NR lots 4,000 - 5,999 square feet | 4 | NR lots less than 4,000 square feet | 0” source
“Approval of a chicken husbandry registration is required to house chickens on any property.” source
Last verified June 11, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code.
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