Sammamish, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Keeping chickens and similar small farm animals in Sammamish is governed by the city's zoning code, SMC 21A.65.020 (Animal regulations - Small animals), which Sammamish carried over from King County's zoning framework. Published summaries of that section indicate roughly three hens are allowed on sites smaller than half an acre, with larger lots allowed additional birds on a density basis. The widely cited standard is that poultry, chickens, squab, and rabbits are limited to a maximum of one animal per one square foot of the structure used to house them, up to a maximum of 2,000 square feet of such structure. Covered structures used to house animals must be set back at least 10 feet from any property line. Reported summaries indicate no city permit is required for small backyard flocks, and roosters are generally treated more restrictively (allowed only on larger lots). Because these are zoning standards rather than the adopted animal-control code, exact counts and rooster rules should be confirmed against the current SMC 21A.65 text. Separately, animal care and nuisance enforcement (cruelty, neglect, noise) is handled under the King County animal code that Sammamish adopted by reference in SMC 11.05.