Federal Way, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken/duck limit
- 4 birds combined per lot under 35,000 sq ft
- Coop setback
- 10 feet from side and rear property lines
- Roosters
- Banned citywide except suburban estate zoned lots
- Large livestock minimum lot
- 70,000 square feet for horses, cattle, goats
- Small domestic animal cap
- Up to 20 animals on 35,000+ sq ft lots
- Enforcement penalty
- $100 to $500 escalating civil fine per violation
Summary
Federal Way caps backyard flocks at four chickens or ducks combined on lots under 35,000 square feet, with coops set back 10 feet from side and rear lines and banned from front yards. Roosters are prohibited citywide except on suburban estate zoned lots. Keeping horses, cattle, or other livestock needs at least 70,000 square feet.
19.260.055 Chickens and ducks. This section allows limited numbers of chickens and ducks for residential lots containing less than 35,000 square feet subject to the following regulations: (1) Number of animals permitted. Any combination of four chickens and/or ducks may be kept on lots up to 34,999 square feet. (2) Pens, structures and enclosures. All pens, structures and enclosures shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from side and rear property lines and are not permitted in the area between the primary dwelling unit and the front property line. (3) Roosters. Roosters are not permitted within the city except for those lots zoned suburban estate. 19.260.070 Large domestic animals. (1) Minimum lot size. The subject property must be at least 70,000 square feet in area. (2) Maximum number of animals. No more than two large domestic animals may be kept on a lot containing 70,000 square feet of area. One additional large domestic animal is permitted for each additional 35,000 square feet of lot area.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-1049, passed August 11, 2026).
Full Breakdown
260, which applies keeping-of-animals standards in any zone that allows a dwelling. 055 caps any residential lot under 35,000 square feet at four birds combined, any mix of chickens and ducks. The pen must be kept clean, set back at least 10 feet from side and rear property lines, and cannot sit between the house and the front property line. Roosters are banned outright everywhere in the city except lots zoned suburban estate. 060, which allows up to 20 animals with 40-foot setbacks, and the city can cut that cap further if crowding, noise, or odor becomes a problem for neighbors.
070's large domestic animal rules: the lot must be at least 70,000 square feet, capped at two animals with one more allowed per additional 35,000 square feet, and the property needs a 14,500-square-foot roaming or grazing area kept at least 20 feet from every property line. Manure piles must be managed so they do not affect neighboring properties or water quality. 25 FWRC.
Violations & Fines
Animal-keeping violations are processed as zoning code violations under FWRC Chapter 1.15's civil enforcement track: the community development department issues a notice and order to correct, and an uncorrected violation accrues a monetary penalty of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, $300 for the third, and $500 for each one after that. The city can also require a maintenance bond under FWRC 19.25.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many backyard chickens can I keep in Federal Way?
Can I keep a rooster in Federal Way?
What lot size do I need to keep horses or cattle?
What happens if I violate Federal Way's animal-keeping rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Federal Way
How Federal Way compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Federal Way to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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