Salem, OR Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max poultry per property
- 12, roosters prohibited
- Coop size cap
- 120 sq ft
- Setback from neighbor's home
- 25 ft. minimum
- First violation fine
- $250.00, SRC 50.710(e)(1)
- Third violation penalty
- $750.00 plus 10-year keeping ban
- Run space per bird
- 6 sq ft (chickens/ducks)
Summary
Salem allows up to twelve poultry per residence, community garden, or school and religious-organization lot under SRC 50.710, but bans roosters outright and requires birds be confined to a poultry facility except when under an owner's direct control, with the coop sited in the rear yard, at least three feet from other buildings and 25 feet from a neighboring residence.
(c)Standards. Except where the keeping of livestock and other animals is allowed under the UDC, poultry kept at any residence, community garden, or on any premises owned by a school or religious organization shall be subject to the following conditions:(1)A maximum total of twelve poultry are allowed per premises;(2)Roosters are prohibited;(3)Poultry shall be confined at all times within a poultry facility, except when under the personal control of an owner or custodian;(4)No poultry facility or other structure that houses poultry, either temporarily or permanently, shall be located within three feet of any other building on the same premises, or within 25 feet of a residence on an adjacent unit of land; ... (7)A coop shall not exceed 120 square feet.(8)For quail or similar sized small poultry, there shall be a minimum of one square-foot of coop space per bird. For all other poultry, including chickens and ducks, there shall be a minimum of three square feet of coop space, and six square feet of run space, per bird.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
120(d) of the UDC. Where the general residential standards apply, a property is capped at twelve poultry total, roosters are prohibited outright, and birds must stay confined to the poultry facility except when under an owner's or custodian's personal control. No poultry facility may sit within three feet of another building on the same lot or within 25 feet of a residence on an adjoining lot, the facility must be in the rear yard and meet the zone's setback standards, and it cannot generate noise or odor that becomes a nuisance for neighbors.
A coop is capped at 120 square feet, with a minimum of one square foot of coop space per bird for quail-sized poultry and three square feet of coop space plus six square feet of run space per bird for chickens, ducks, and similar-sized poultry; ducks must also be given a water source deep and wide enough for a duck to submerge its whole body. 810 notice.
Violations & Fines
Keeping poultry out of compliance with SRC 50.710 is an infraction: $250.00 for a first violation, $500.00 for a second, and $750.00 for a third or later violation, and a third violation also bars the responsible person from keeping poultry in Salem for ten years. Noncompliant birds are also a declared nuisance the City can abate under SRC 50.800 through 50.880 after notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep at my Salem home?
How big does my coop need to be?
What's the penalty for keeping too many chickens or a rooster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salem
How Salem compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Salem to another location·View the Oregon animal ordinances overview
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