Backyard Chickens in Auburn, Washington

Can you keep chickens in Auburn?

Thinking about starting a backyard flock in Auburn, Washington? The city allows hens as an accessory use to single-family homes, with the number permitted scaling with your lot size, but roosters are banned citywide and coops must stay tucked into the rear yard with proper setbacks.

Yes – with conditions

Yes, keeping domestic fowl (chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, or similar fowl) is permitted in Auburn, Washington as an accessory use to a single-unit detached dwelling (§ 18.31.220(B)(1)). Roosters and peafowl are expressly excluded from the definition of 'domestic fowl and poultry' and are not permitted anywhere in the city (§ 18.04.325; § 18.31.220(B)(2)). The number of fowl allowed scales with lot size, and coops/runs must be located in the rear yard with a 10-foot setback from rear and side lot lines (§ 18.31.220(B)(3)-(4)).

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 10
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Setback from property line: 10 ft.

Peggy knows Auburn

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under ACC 18.31.220(B): (3) Chicken coops, pens, or runs must be located only in the rear yard (the area between the rear lot line and the extension of the rear building facade) and set back at least 10 feet from the rear and side yard lot lines. (4) Up to 4 domestic fowl/poultry are allowed on lots at least 6,000 sq. ft. in size; one additional bird is allowed for every additional 2,000 sq. ft. of lot area, up to a citywide maximum of 10 birds per lot. This 10-bird cap does not apply to properties zoned RC (Residential Conservancy) or R-1 (one dwelling unit per acre). (5) Keeping fowl must comply with the city's noise control (ACC 8.28.010), public health/safety nuisance (ACC 8.12.020), and slaughtering prohibition (ACC 6.24.020) provisions. Structures that do not meet setback requirements must be brought into compliance within 30 days of written notice from the city (§ 18.31.220(G)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Auburn

🌡️ Climate

Marine West Coast (Köppen Csb), USDA Hardiness Zone 8b

Auburn has a mild, wet Pacific Northwest climate with cool, damp winters and warm, dry summers. Coops should prioritize good ventilation and dampness/mold control rather than extreme cold protection, and runs benefit from covered areas to manage the region's heavy fall-to-spring rainfall.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteOpossumSkunkWeasel

Auburn's mix of suburban neighborhoods and nearby greenbelts/riverbanks (Green River, White River corridors) means raccoons, opossums, skunks, and weasels are common nighttime intruders, while hawks pose a daytime threat to free-ranging birds. Coyotes are increasingly seen in Auburn's outskirts and greenbelt-adjacent yards, so fully enclosed, secure runs are strongly recommended.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Wyandotte

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Auburn

▸How many chickens can I keep in Auburn, WA?

On a lot of at least 6,000 square feet, you may keep up to 4 domestic fowl. One additional bird is allowed for every extra 2,000 square feet of lot area, up to a citywide maximum of 10 birds per lot (this 10-bird cap doesn't apply to RC or R-1 zoned properties).

▸Are roosters allowed in Auburn?

No. Auburn's code specifically excludes roosters (and peafowl) from the definition of permitted 'domestic fowl and poultry,' meaning roosters are not allowed anywhere in the city.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Auburn?

The Auburn City Code does not list a specific permit or fee requirement for keeping domestic fowl as an accessory use to a single-family home; you simply must meet the lot-size, setback, and nuisance/noise requirements in ACC 18.31.220.

▸Where can I put my chicken coop?

Coops, pens, and runs must be located only in the rear yard and set back at least 10 feet from both the rear and side yard lot lines.

▸Can I keep chickens at any type of residence in Auburn?

Domestic fowl are permitted only as an accessory use to a single-unit detached dwelling, so multi-family properties without a qualifying single-unit detached home would not qualify under this section.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Auburn or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 13, 2026.