Can I keep chickens in Renton, WA?
Yes — Renton allows backyard chickens, up to 3 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (RMC 4-4-010, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 3 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 4,500 sq ft |
| Coop rules | Shelters/pens in rear yard, at least 10 ft from any property line; daily waste removal required. |
| Code section | RMC 4-4-010 |
Renton classifies chickens as small lot domestic animals: 3 allowed outright on lots of at least 4,500 sq ft, +1 per extra 1,000 sq ft (cap combined across chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, rabbits). Roosters expressly prohibited citywide. Additional Animals Permit (RMC 4-9-100) can authorize more.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Renton?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Renton (RMC 4-4-010).
How many chickens can I keep in Renton?
Up to 3 hens. 3 hens on lots of 4,500+ sq ft, +1 per 1,000 sq ft above 4,500.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Renton?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Renton.
Are roosters allowed in Renton?
No — roosters are prohibited in Renton.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Renton?
10 feet minimum. Shelters/pens in rear yard, at least 10 ft from any property line; daily waste removal required.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Renton?
Yes — 4,500 sq ft.
What law covers backyard chickens in Renton?
RMC 4-4-010. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
RMC 4-4-010 — read the official code
“3 on lots that are at least 4,500 gross sq. ft. in size. On lots that are larger than 4,500 gross sq. ft., 1 additional small lot domestic animal may be kept per additional 1,000 gross sq. ft.” source
“the City prohibits the keeping of roosters or peahens/peacocks.” 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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