Can I keep chickens in Ketchikan, AK?
Yes — Ketchikan allows backyard chickens with no permit required. (Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code Sec. 18.50.010 (Land use table), Special Circumstances note 2, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Permit required | No |
| Code section | Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code Sec. 18.50.010 (Land use table), Special Circumstances note 2 |
Land use inside Ketchikan is governed by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough zoning code, because the City of Ketchikan municipal code contains no zoning title (Titles 8 and 16 are reserved) and its only animal provision is a cruelty chapter. Under the borough land use table, keeping animals solely for the personal, noncommercial use of the owner or occupant of the lot is allowed as an accessory use in all zones. There is no numeric hen cap and no permit for personal keeping. Commercial poultry operations are a separate, regulated use.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Ketchikan?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Ketchikan (Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code Sec. 18.50.010 (Land use table), Special Circumstances note 2).
How many chickens can I keep in Ketchikan?
Ketchikan sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Ketchikan?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Ketchikan.
What law covers backyard chickens in Ketchikan?
Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code Sec. 18.50.010 (Land use table), Special Circumstances note 2. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code Sec. 18.50.010 (Land use table), Special Circumstances note 2 — read the official code
“The keeping of animals solely for the personal, noncommercial use of the owner or occupant of the lot on which the animals are located is allowed as an accessory use in all zones.” source
“City of Ketchikan, AK. Includes legislation through 07-02-2026. Title 6 Animals (6.08.010). Title 8 Reserved. Title 16 Reserved.” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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