Can I keep chickens in Hillsboro, OR?
Yes — Hillsboro allows backyard chickens, up to 9 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Hillsboro Municipal Code 6.20.070 (Livestock), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 9 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 7,000 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Poultry enclosure must be behind the front building plane of the dwelling and at least 10 ft from any property line. Outdoor portion must provide 20 sq ft per bird. Feed and waste stored behind front building plane and 10 ft from property lines; no more than 1 cubic yard of solid waste at a time. |
| Code section | Hillsboro Municipal Code 6.20.070 (Livestock) |
Hillsboro allows hens on single-family residential property by approved livestock permit, with counts tied to lot size: 3 on lots 7,000-10,000 sq ft, 6 on lots over 10,000 sq ft to 1 acre, and 9 on lots over 1 acre. Roosters, male poultry, peacocks, geese, and turkeys are prohibited, as are breeding, on-site slaughter, and selling eggs from residential property. Coops must sit behind the front building plane, at least 10 ft from property lines, with 20 sq ft of run per bird.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Hillsboro?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Hillsboro (Hillsboro Municipal Code 6.20.070 (Livestock)).
How many chickens can I keep in Hillsboro?
Up to 9 hens. Tiered by lot size: 3 up to 10,000 sq ft; 6 up to 43,560 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Hillsboro?
Yes — Hillsboro requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Hillsboro?
No — roosters are prohibited in Hillsboro.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Hillsboro?
10 feet minimum. Poultry enclosure must be behind the front building plane of the dwelling and at least 10 ft from any property line. Outdoor portion must provide 20 sq ft per bird. Feed and waste stored behind front building plane and 10 ft from property lines; no more than 1 cubic yard of solid waste at a time.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in Hillsboro?
Yes — 7,000 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Hillsboro?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Hillsboro's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Hillsboro?
Hillsboro Municipal Code 6.20.070 (Livestock). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Hillsboro Municipal Code 6.20.070 (Livestock) — read the official code
“Poultry [Maximum Number]: 7,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. = 3; Over 10,000 sq. ft. to 1 acre in area = 6; Over 1 acre or larger in area = 9. Prohibited Livestock: Peacocks, Peahens, Roosters, Geese, Turkeys, Male Poultry” source
“Prior to keeping livestock, a keeper must: Submit a livestock permit on a form provided by the city demonstrating compliance with the standards of this subchapter... Submit a nonrefundable livestock permit fee, the amount of which will be set by council resolution.” source
“All portions of an enclosure for poultry are to be located a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.” source
“Livestock may not be bred; Products generated by livestock, such as eggs, wool, hides or meat, may not be sold from residential property; Livestock may not be slaughtered or butchered on residential property.” 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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