Can I keep chickens in Salem, OR?
Yes — Salem allows backyard chickens, up to 12 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 3 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Salem Revised Code 50.710 (Keeping Poultry), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 3 ft |
| Coop rules | Coop (roofed shelter) may not exceed 120 sq ft and must include a runway. Chickens/ducks need at least 6 sq ft of run and 3 sq ft of coop per bird. Facility must be in the rear yard, at least 3 ft from any other building and at least 25 ft from a residence on adjacent land. |
| Code section | Salem Revised Code 50.710 (Keeping Poultry) |
Salem allows a maximum of 12 poultry total per property (chickens, ducks, and similar birds) with no permit required; geese, turkeys, emus, ostriches, and roosters are prohibited. Facilities must be in the rear yard, at least 3 ft from other buildings and 25 ft from a neighboring residence. Properties zoned RA (10,000+ sq ft) or EFU are exempt from these guidelines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Salem?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Salem (Salem Revised Code 50.710 (Keeping Poultry)).
How many chickens can I keep in Salem?
Up to 12 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Salem?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Salem.
Are roosters allowed in Salem?
No — roosters are prohibited in Salem.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Salem?
3 feet minimum. Coop (roofed shelter) may not exceed 120 sq ft and must include a runway. Chickens/ducks need at least 6 sq ft of run and 3 sq ft of coop per bird. Facility must be in the rear yard, at least 3 ft from any other building and at least 25 ft from a residence on adjacent land.
What law covers backyard chickens in Salem?
Salem Revised Code 50.710 (Keeping Poultry). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Salem Revised Code 50.710 (Keeping Poultry) — read the official code
“You may have a maximum of twelve poultry total per property.” source
“No permit or license is needed to keep poultry, but you must maintain your poultry facility to prevent noise or odors that could disturb your neighbors.” source
“Roosters are not allowed.” source
“Your poultry facility must be located: In the rear yard. At least three feet away from any other building on the property. At least 25 feet away from a residence on an adjacent 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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