Can I keep chickens in Medford, OR?
Yes — Medford allows backyard chickens. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 4 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Medford Municipal Code 5.555, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop setback | 4 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Poultry must be confined at all times; no enclosure within 4 ft of any abutting property line and none in the required front-yard setback. Keep property safe (heat-lamp clearances, outdoor-rated electrical); enclosures must meet building/fire codes. |
| Code section | Medford Municipal Code 5.555 |
Medford allows residents to keep chickens, ducks, geese and similar fowl on residential property for personal use only. There is no numeric cap on hens in the code, but roosters are prohibited and all poultry must be confined with coops set back at least 4 feet from abutting property lines and out of the front-yard setback. Ostriches, emus, peacocks, and turkeys are banned, and on-site harvesting is allowed if done humanely.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Medford?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Medford (Medford Municipal Code 5.555).
How many chickens can I keep in Medford?
Medford sets no numeric cap on hens.
Are roosters allowed in Medford?
No — roosters are prohibited in Medford.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Medford?
4 feet minimum. Poultry must be confined at all times; no enclosure within 4 ft of any abutting property line and none in the required front-yard setback. Keep property safe (heat-lamp clearances, outdoor-rated electrical); enclosures must meet building/fire codes.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Medford?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Medford Municipal Code 5.555.
What law covers backyard chickens in Medford?
Medford Municipal Code 5.555. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Medford Municipal Code 5.555 — read the official code
“No person shall keep poultry on residential property... except in compliance with all of the following regulations and limitations” source
“Roosters are prohibited.” source
“no enclosure or structure associated with the poultry shall be located within four feet of the property lines of any abutting parcel.” source
“Any harvesting of allowed poultry that is carried out on the property must be done in a humane manner, and any remains shall be properly disposed of in a sanitary manner.” 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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