Can I keep chickens in Gresham, OR?
Yes — Gresham allows backyard chickens, up to 3 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Gresham Revised Code Article 7.17 (Keeping of Chickens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 3 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Up to three chickens (only those over four months old count) on a lot with a single detached dwelling where the keeper resides. No roosters. Coop in rear yard; covered coop required 10pm-7am; min 2 sq ft floor space per grown chicken. Coop at least 25 ft from residences on other lots and 10 ft from all property lines; run at least 10 ft from property lines. |
| Code section | Gresham Revised Code Article 7.17 (Keeping of Chickens) |
Gresham allows up to 3 hens (over 4 months old) with a permit on a single detached dwelling lot where the owner resides. No roosters. A two-year permit is required; the fee is set by council resolution (not published in code). Coops must sit 25 ft from neighboring dwellings, 10 ft from property lines, rear yard only.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Gresham?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Gresham (Gresham Revised Code Article 7.17 (Keeping of Chickens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Gresham?
Up to 3 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Gresham?
Yes — Gresham requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Gresham?
No — roosters are prohibited in Gresham.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Gresham?
25 feet minimum. Up to three chickens (only those over four months old count) on a lot with a single detached dwelling where the keeper resides. No roosters. Coop in rear yard; covered coop required 10pm-7am; min 2 sq ft floor space per grown chicken. Coop at least 25 ft from residences on other lots and 10 ft from all property lines; run at least 10 ft from property lines.
What law covers backyard chickens in Gresham?
Gresham Revised Code Article 7.17 (Keeping of Chickens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Gresham Revised Code Article 7.17 (Keeping of Chickens) — read the official code
“7.17.030: (1) A person may keep three or fewer chickens with a permit on any one lot or parcel developed with a single detached dwelling... (2) Only chickens greater than four months old count towards the total of three. (3) No person shall keep roosters.” source
“7.17.060: (1) No person shall keep chickens... without first obtaining a permit... (2) The permit shall be valid for a two-year period... (4) The permit fee shall be established by council resolution.” source
“7.17.040: (6) The coop shall be located at least 25 feet from residences on a different lot or parcel and at least 10 feet from all property lines. (7) The run shall be located at least 10 feet from all property lines.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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