Kent, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl base limit
- 3 birds on lots ≥ 5,000 sq ft
- Extra fowl allowance
- +1 bird per 1,000 sq ft beyond minimum
- Fowl coop setback
- 10 feet from other residential lots
- Large animal minimum lot
- 20,000 sq ft; 1 per 10,000 sq ft
- Large animal setback
- 50 feet from residential lots
- Swine
- Prohibited except one potbelly pig
Summary
Kent allows up to three domesticated fowl on lots of at least 5,000 square feet, with one more bird per extra 1,000 square feet, under KCC 15.08.070(C); large domesticated animals need at least 20,000 square feet and a 50-foot setback from residential lots under (D).
C. Domesticated fowl. Up to three (3) domesticated fowl may be kept on any lot that is at least five thousand (5,000) square feet, subject to the provisions of Ch. 8.03 KCC. One (1) additional domesticated fowl is permitted for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of land in excess of the minimum five thousand (5,000) square foot threshold. In no case shall a coop or other accessory structure that restrains or houses domesticated fowl be located closer than ten (10) feet from any other residential lot. D. Large domesticated animals. Large domesticated animals are permitted only on lots of at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. The keeping of swine is prohibited, except for a single miniature potbelly pig maintained in accordance with subsection (B) of this section. 1. One (1) large domesticated animal for every ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area is permitted. 2. Large domesticated animals and structures housing them must be kept at least fifty (50) feet from any other lot in a residential zone.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4542, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
03. For fowl, subsection (C) allows up to three birds on a lot of at least 5,000 square feet, with one additional bird permitted for each extra 1,000 square feet beyond that threshold, and requires any coop or housing structure to sit at least 10 feet from any other residential lot. For large domesticated animals (horses, mules, asses, bovines, lambs, goats, sheep, and similar animals, but never swine except a qualifying miniature potbelly pig), subsection (D) requires a minimum 20,000-square-foot lot and allows one animal per 10,000 square feet of lot area, with animals and their housing kept at least 50 feet from any other residential lot.
Small domesticated animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, and miniature potbelly pigs) are capped at three per lot under subsection (A), rising above three only on lots of 20,000 square feet or more, with only one potbelly pig allowed per lot and a 10-foot setback for kennels or similar structures. 03's penalty schedule.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than three domesticated fowl on a lot under 5,000 square feet, or otherwise exceeding the KCC 15.08.070 limits, is declared a public nuisance under KCC 8.03.070 and is enforceable as a civil infraction under KCC 8.03.080, which sets a $125 class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80.120 for chapter violations not covered by the leash or waste-removal schedules, filed in Kent municipal court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many backyard chickens can I keep in Kent?
Can I keep a horse or goat on my Kent property?
Are pigs allowed in Kent?
What happens if I keep more chickens than the code allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kent
How Kent compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Kent to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle chickens & livestock.