Portland, OR Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chicken/fowl limit
- 4 per lot, 6 on 10,000+ sq ft
- Roosters
- Banned outside agricultural-zoned lots
- Coop space
- 10 sq ft per bird minimum
- Setback
- 3 ft from side/rear lines
- Enforced by
- City Administrator (Title 13)
Summary
Portland lets residents keep up to four chickens, ducks, or pigeons per lot without a permit, six on lots 10,000 square feet or larger, but roosters are banned outside agricultural zones.
Up to four chickens, ducks, pigeons and/or other similarly sized domestic fowl may be kept on any lot. Up to six small domestic fowl may be kept on lots 10,000 square feet and greater. In addition to these numbers, up to four small domestic fowl under 12 weeks of age are allowed. There is no maximum number on lots 20,000 square feet or greater that allow agricultural uses through Title 33 Zoning, or that have an approved conditional use.
2. Geese, turkeys, peacocks, emus and/or other larger domestic fowl that have a tendency to be loud and/or aggressive, may be kept on lots 20,000 square feet or greater that allow agricultural uses through Portland City Code Title 33 Zoning, or that have an approved conditional use. Six geese, turkeys, peacocks, emus or other similarly sized domestic fowl are allowed on lots 20,000 square feet or greater. Two additional animal is allowed for each 5,000 square feet greater than 20,000 square feet.
3. It is unlawful to have or keep roosters except for agricultural purposes on lots that allow agricultural uses.
4. It is unlawful to color or dye any fowl under two months of age.
B. Rabbits.
Full Breakdown
City Code Title 13 caps backyard fowl at four per lot: six on lots 10,000 square feet or bigger, plus up to four chicks under 12 weeks. Larger, louder fowl like geese and turkeys need at least 20,000 square feet zoned for agricultural use. Roosters are unlawful except on agricultural-zoned lots, and dyeing any fowl under two months old is banned. Keepers must give each bird at least 10 square feet of coop or pen space, keep facilities clean and vermin-free, and set structures back at least three feet from side and rear lines. The City Administrator enforces the rules and investigates nuisance complaints.
Violations & Fines
Keeping unpermitted roosters, exceeding fowl limits, or ignoring a nuisance complaint about noise, odor, or roaming animals can bring code enforcement action and fines from the City Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a rooster in Portland?
How many chickens can I keep without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
How Portland compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle chickens & livestock.