Can I keep chickens in Portland, OR?
Yes — Portland allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (Portland City Code 13.40.020 (Backyard Livestock), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Up to 4 fowl on any lot; up to 6 on lots 10,000 sq ft or greater; plus up to 4 chicks under 12 weeks. Each fowl over 12 weeks needs about 10 sq ft of usable shelter/pen area (city guidance). |
| Code section | Portland City Code 13.40.020 (Backyard Livestock) |
Portland allows up to 4 chickens/domestic fowl on any lot and up to 6 on lots 10,000 sq ft or greater, with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited except for agricultural purposes on lots that allow agricultural uses. There is no maximum on lots 20,000 sq ft or greater that allow agricultural uses or have an approved conditional use.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Portland?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Portland (Portland City Code 13.40.020 (Backyard Livestock)).
How many chickens can I keep in Portland?
Up to 6 hens. Tiered by lot size: 4 up to 9,999 sq ft; 6 up to 19,999 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Portland?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Portland.
Are roosters allowed in Portland?
No — roosters are prohibited in Portland.
What law covers backyard chickens in Portland?
Portland City Code 13.40.020 (Backyard Livestock). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Portland City Code 13.40.020 (Backyard Livestock) — read the official code
“Up to four chickens, ducks, pigeons and/or other similarly sized domestic fowl may be kept on any lot. Up to six small domestic fowl may be kept on lots 10,000 square feet and greater. In addition to these numbers, up to four small domestic fowl under 12 weeks of age are allowed. There is no maximum number on lots 20,000 square feet or greater that allow agricultural uses through Title 33 Zoning, or that have an approved conditional use.” source
“Permits are not required, but you must comply with all Title 13 code standards and best practices.” source
“It is unlawful to have or keep roosters except for agricultural purposes on lots that allow agricultural uses.” source
Last verified June 14, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →