Yakima, WA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum lot size
- 1/2 acre
- Setback from neighbor's home
- 100 feet
- Setback on owner's own lot
- 10 feet
- Fencing
- Required to contain animals
- Applies to
- Yakima urban area, city + county
Summary
Keeping livestock or other farm animals in the Yakima urban area requires at least a half-acre lot, and any barn, coop, or animal structure must sit at least 100 feet from a neighbor's residence under Yakima Municipal Code § 15.09.070.
Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size for animal husbandry within the Yakima urban area is one-half acre. A lot at least one-half acre in size shall be deemed to meet this requirement even though a portion of the lot may be used for a single-family dwelling.
C. Project Review. Animal husbandry operations, which would create noise and odors, attract insects or rodents or are otherwise incompatible with surrounding residential uses or the intent of the zoning district, may be conditioned or denied by the reviewing official in accordance with the provisions of this section.
D. Minimum Setback.
1. No portion of any structure used to house a domesticated farm animal shall be located within one hundred feet of any residence other than a dwelling on the same lot; and 2. No portion of any structure used to house a domestic farm animal shall be located within ten feet of a residence where the residence and domestic farm animal structure are located upon the same lot/tax parcel.
E. Maximum Number of Animals. The maximum number of animals that may be kept on the site at any time of the year shall be the number of animals that can be sustained by the pasture on which they are kept as their primary source of food, except during the winter months. The burden of proving that the pasture can sustain the number of animals in question shall be on the applicant.
F. Fencing. Fencing adequate to contain the animals shall be provided and maintained.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Yakima Municipal Code § 15.09.070 sets special requirements for animal husbandry, the keeping of horses, cattle, goats, and other domesticated farm animals, anywhere in the jointly administered Yakima urban area. A parcel must be at least one-half acre to keep such animals, even if part of the lot holds a single-family home. Any structure housing a farm animal must stand at least 100 feet from a neighboring residence, or at least 10 feet from the owner's own residence on the same lot. The city may condition or deny an animal husbandry operation that creates noise, odor, or rodent problems incompatible with surrounding residential uses, and fencing adequate to contain the animals is mandatory.
Violations & Fines
Animal husbandry that violates the half-acre minimum, 100-foot residential setback, or fencing requirement is a zoning violation the city's reviewing official may condition, deny, or order discontinued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep goats or a horse on a small lot in Yakima?
How far must a barn be from my neighbor's house in Yakima?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
How Yakima compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington animal ordinances overview
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