Snohomish County, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Animal structure setback
- 30 ft from every property line
- Covered animals
- Chickens, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs
- Conditional-use minimum site
- 5 acres, SCC 30.22.130(37)
- Governing definition
- SCC 30.91S.440 small animal husbandry
- Setback applies to
- Housing/feeding structures, not fenced runs
Summary
Snohomish County treats backyard chickens, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs, and similar animals as 'small animal husbandry' under SCC 30.91S.440, requiring at least 30 feet between any animal housing or feeding structure and every property line under SCC 30.23.110(19). Some rural and resource zones limit the use to a conditional permit and require a five-acre minimum site under SCC 30.22.130(37).
"Small animal husbandry" means the raising of mink, fox, nutria, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, guinea hens, and similar small animals and fowl not for the primary consumption of or use by the occupants of the premises. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003).
30.91S.445 Small workshop. "Small workshop" means a structure (or a portion of a structure) with 8,000 or fewer square feet of gross leasable area used as a fix-it shop, craft shop, fabrication shop, or a metal working shop. This definition shall include the production of small items for purposes of resale. Similar uses in buildings greater than 8,000 square feet are included in the definition of "Manufacturing, all other forms not specially listed." (Added by Amended Ord. 16-013, Mar. 8, 2017, Eff date May 7, 2017).
30.91S.450 Snohomish County drainage manual or drainage manual. "Snohomish County drainage manual" or "drainage manual" means the drainage manual adopted by the director of public works pursuant to SCC 30.63A.110. The drainage manual provides detail and specificity regarding the requirements of chapters 7.53, 7.54, 30.63A and 30.63B SCC. (Added by Amended Ord. 10-026, June 9, 2010, Eff date Sept. 30, 2010; Amended by Ord. 15-103, Jan. 11, 2016, Eff date Jan. 22, 2016).
30.91S.455 Snohomish County Residential Design Manual. (Added by Ord. 17-062, Oct. 18, 2017, Eff date Dec. 17, 2017; Repealed by Ord. 25-057, Dec. 3, 2025, Eff date Dec. 13, 2025).
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
440 defines 'small animal husbandry' as the raising of mink, fox, nutria, rabbits, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, guinea hens, and similar small animals and fowl not for the primary consumption of or use by the occupants of the premises, meaning the definition covers backyard flocks and small livestock kept for sale, breeding, or other non-household use, not just a family's own egg-laying hens. The zoning use tables list small animal husbandry as a permitted use in agricultural, resource, and most rural zones, but as a conditional use, marked C37, in others.
Reference note 37 attached to that conditional listing requires a five-acre minimum site size before the county will approve small animal husbandry as a conditional use. 110(19) imposes a special setback: all structures used for housing or feeding animals must be at least 30 feet from all property lines, a rule that applies on top of, and is more restrictive than, the base zone's ordinary building setback. 110(11), all measured the same way from every property line, not just the boundary facing a neighboring residence.
The rule governs the coop, barn, or pen structure itself, not fencing or pasture area, so a fenced run can sit closer to the line as long as the housing or feeding structure stays back the required 30 feet.
Violations & Fines
Placing a chicken coop, barn, or livestock shelter inside the 30-foot setback, or running small animal husbandry as a conditional use without the required five-acre site, is enforced under the county's general code-enforcement chapter, SCC 30.85. The department can issue a notice of violation under SCC 30.85.150, with penalties under SCC 30.85.170 starting at $500 for a residential violation and climbing toward a $10,000 cap until the structure is relocated or removed and the fix is verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far do chicken coops have to be from my property line in Snohomish County?
Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens?
Does the 30-foot setback apply to the whole chicken run or just the coop?
What animals count as 'small animal husbandry' under the county code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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