Multnomah County allows backyard poultry countywide. Portland permits up to 3 small animals (hens, ducks, rabbits, mini-goats) by right and up to 6 with a $31 specified-animal permit. Roosters are prohibited in Portland residential zones. Unincorporated Multnomah County allows livestock consistent with Rural Residential and Farm zoning. MCC Title 13 and Portland City Code 13.05 govern licensing and nuisance.
Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) licenses dogs and cats countywide under MCC Title 13, but poultry and livestock rules are set by each jurisdiction's zoning. Portland City Code 13.05 allows up to 3 hens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, or pygmy/dwarf goats by right on residential lots, and up to 6 with a Specified Animal Permit from the Bureau of Development Services ($31 application fee plus inspection). Coops and pens must be at least 15 feet from residential structures on adjacent lots, kept clean, and rodent-proofed. Roosters are banned in Portland residential zones under PCC 13.05.015. Bees are regulated separately (PCC 13.05.020 allows hives with setbacks). Gresham Municipal Code 7.20 allows 3 hens without a permit on lots 10,000 sq ft or larger, no roosters. Troutdale Code 6.50 allows poultry in rural residential zones only. Unincorporated Multnomah County MCC Chapter 39 permits chickens and livestock under Rural Residential (RR) and MUA-20 zoning with minimum parcel sizes and setbacks; Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) parcels have the broadest livestock rights under ORS Chapter 215. Oregon's Right-to-Farm Law (ORS 30.930) protects accepted farming practices from nuisance suits on EFU and mixed zones.
Portland unauthorized over-limit animals: $200 civil penalty plus order to reduce flock. Rooster violations: immediate removal order. Gresham over-limit: $100 to $500 plus nuisance citation. County MCAS nuisance conditions: $100 to $500/day. Unlicensed livestock commercial operation: zoning violation up to $1,000/day.
Multnomah County, OR
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Multnomah County, OR
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Multnomah County, OR
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Multnomah County, OR
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Multnomah County, OR
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Multnomah County, OR
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See how Multnomah County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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