Can I keep chickens in McMinnville, OR?
Yes — McMinnville allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (McMinnville Municipal Code 8.10.130 (Animals in residential zones), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Enclosures/pens may not be in the front yard, within 70 ft of the front property line, within 15 ft of a side property line, or within 10 ft of a rear property line. |
| Code section | McMinnville Municipal Code 8.10.130 (Animals in residential zones) |
McMinnville allows domestic fowl (hens) for noncommercial use in residential zones, excluding roosters and peacocks. No fowl are allowed on lots under 5,000 sq ft; up to 2 fowl on a 5,000 sq ft lot, plus 1 additional fowl per extra 1,000 sq ft of lot area. Pens must avoid the front yard and meet setbacks, and on-site slaughter is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in McMinnville?
Yes — chickens are allowed in McMinnville (McMinnville Municipal Code 8.10.130 (Animals in residential zones)).
How many chickens can I keep in McMinnville?
It depends on your lot. 2 hens on lots of 5,000+ sq ft, +1 per 1,000 sq ft above 5,000.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in McMinnville?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in McMinnville.
Are roosters allowed in McMinnville?
No — roosters are prohibited in McMinnville.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in McMinnville?
10 feet minimum. Enclosures/pens may not be in the front yard, within 70 ft of the front property line, within 15 ft of a side property line, or within 10 ft of a rear property line.
Is there a minimum lot size for chickens in McMinnville?
Yes — 5,000 sq ft.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in McMinnville?
No — slaughter is not permitted under McMinnville's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in McMinnville?
McMinnville Municipal Code 8.10.130 (Animals in residential zones). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
McMinnville Municipal Code 8.10.130 (Animals in residential zones) — read the official code
“Domestic fowl or birds for noncommercial purposes, excluding roosters and peacocks, consistent with the requirements of subsection D of this section” source
“More than two rabbits or fowl (excluding roosters and peacocks) on a lot with an area less than 5,000 square feet; provided, that one additional rabbit or fowl is allowed per additional 1,000 square feet of lot area.” source
“Any enclosure or pen for animals: a. In the front yard of the premises; b. Within 70 feet to a front property line; c. Within 15 feet to a side property line; or d. Within 10 feet to a rear property line.” source
“A person in charge of a residential premises must not permit, allow or cause the cremation or slaughtering of animals on the premises.” 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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