Kirkland, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Base Limit
- 3 chickens under 35k sq ft
- Roosters
- Effectively banned
- Setback
- 5 ft side and rear typical
- Code
- KZC 115.15
Summary
Kirkland allows up to 3 small domestic animals such as chickens per lot under 35,000 sq ft as accessory use, with more on larger lots. Roosters are effectively banned by KMC 11.84A noise rules.
Small Domestic Animals (Chicken, Fowl): If you live in a low-density zone, you may have up to three chickens or other fowl on your property. If your lot size is greater than 5,000 square feet, you can have an additional chicken with every added 1,000 square feet of lot size. The maximum number of chickens for large lots is 20. The following zones are low density: RS 35; RSX 35; RS 12.5; RSX 12.5; RS 8.5; RSX 8.5; RSA 8; RS 7.2; RSX 7.2; RS 6.3; RSA 6; RS 5.0; RSX 5.0; RSA 4; RSA 1; PLA 3C; PLA 6E; PLA 16; WD II. [...] Rules to know: Chickens and Fowl are prohibited in Multifamily Zones. Roosters are not allowed. Mobile Chicken tractors can be anywhere within a fenced yard, other pet structures must be located 5 feet from any property line, and structures larger than 100 square feet must be 40 feet from each property line. Fowl may roam your yard, but they must be fenced in to prevent them from escaping the property. Bees: A property may have up to 2 beehives if the lot is between 7,200 and 15,000 square feet. Lots between 15,000 and 35,000 square feet, may have a maximum of 5 hives. Lots larger than 35,000 square feet may have a maximum of 15 hives. [...] Rules to know: Colonies must be registered with the WA State Department of Agriculture. Hives must be placed 25 feet away from every property line.
Full Breakdown
Kirkland Zoning Code (KZC) Chapter 115.15 (Animals) regulates keeping of animals in residential zones. For lots under 35,000 square feet (most typical Kirkland residential parcels), residents may keep up to three small domestic animals such as chickens, ducks, rabbits, or similar fowl as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling. Larger parcels scale up proportionally, and one additional animal is allowed for each additional 5,000 square feet above the base threshold. Coops and enclosures must meet accessory structure setbacks, typically at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines and behind the front of the primary dwelling. Slaughter is not permitted in residential zones. Roosters are effectively prohibited because continuous crowing violates KMC 11.84A barking and animal noise provisions. All animals must be maintained in sanitary conditions; KMC 8.09 animal control officers can abate unsanitary coops. HOAs in Bridle Trails, Norkirk, and Juanita may impose stricter rules or outright chicken bans.
Violations & Fines
Keeping over-limit animals or unsanitary coops is a KZC 115.15 violation with civil fines; rooster noise adds KMC 11.84A nuisance citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Kirkland?
Are roosters legal in Kirkland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkland
How Kirkland compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Kirkland to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle chickens & livestock.