Marion County, OR Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Livestock is
- A farm use
- Allowed zones
- EFU, SA, FT, TC, AR
- Not in
- Single Family Residential zone
- Urban exception
- Urban Transition (UT) zone
- Rural code
- Ch. 17.110.223
Summary
In Marion County, animals raised for food, fur or monetary gain are livestock and a farm use. Farm use is allowed in the rural farm and forest zones (EFU, SA, FT, TC) and the Acreage Residential zone, but not in the Single Family Residential zone.
Animals raised for food, fur or monetary gain are considered a form of livestock and a farm use. Farm use is allowed in the rural farm and forest zones (EFU, SA, FT, TC) and the Acreage Residential zone, but not the Single Family Residential zone.
Full Breakdown
Whether you can keep cattle, goats, llamas, horses or other livestock depends on your zone. The county's Rural Zone Code treats livestock as a farm use, defined in Ch. 17.110.223 as employing land for profit through 'the feeding, breeding, management and sale of, or the produce of, livestock, poultry, fur-bearing animals or honeybees.' Farm use, including stabling and training horses, is permitted in the EFU, SA, FT and TC farm/forest zones and in the Acreage Residential (AR) zone. It is not allowed in the Single Family Residential (RS) zone, in urban zones (except Urban Transition, UT), or generally in commercial or industrial zones.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock in a zone where farm use is not permitted is a zoning violation enforced by Marion County Code Enforcement (503-373-4333), which can require removal of the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep goats or a cow on my property?
Are horses treated as livestock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
How Marion County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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