Backyard Chickens in Kennewick, Washington

Can you keep chickens in Kennewick?

Thinking about keeping chickens in Kennewick, Washington? The city's municipal code allows a small backyard flock of hens (no roosters) in residential districts — here's exactly what Kennewick Municipal Code § 18.12.040 requires before you get started.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Kennewick allows residents in R (residential), HMU, and UMU zoned districts to keep chickens as part of the city's "Animal Keeping" provisions (KMC § 18.12.040). The code specifically permits chickens while excluding roosters, and treats chickens the same as other small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, fowl, pigeons) subject to a per-species and combined animal cap.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 3
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Setback from property line: 5 ft.

Peggy knows Kennewick

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Under KMC § 18.12.040, in R, HMU, and UMU zoning districts a resident may keep no more than three chickens (roosters are excluded entirely from the allowance), with a combined limit of six total small animals/fowl of all kinds per residential plat. Enclosures — cages, pens, and runs — must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, must not allow animals or birds to roam or fly onto adjacent properties, and must be maintained to prevent nuisances from noise or smell. The code also requires that enclosures "meet setbacks"; Kennewick's standard residential side-yard setback for structures in the applicable residential zones (RS, RL, RM, RH, RTP, RMH) is 5 feet from the property line, with a 15-foot rear-yard setback in most of those zones. If a resident wants to keep more than three chickens (or a higher combined animal total), the code allows an increase via a Land Use Permit issued under KMC Chapter 18.42.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Kennewick

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7a/7b — semi-arid high desert (Columbia Basin)

Kennewick sits in the arid Columbia Basin of southeastern Washington, with hot, dry summers (frequently exceeding 95°F) and cold, occasionally freezing winters. Annual rainfall is very low, so coops should prioritize summer shade and ventilation as much as winter wind/cold protection.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkCoyoteFox

Kennewick's mix of riverside greenbelt, agricultural land, and suburban development supports populations of raccoons, coyotes, red foxes, and birds of prey such as red-tailed hawks, all of which can threaten small backyard flocks, especially free-ranging or unsecured birds at dawn/dusk.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Orpington, Wyandotte — hardy dual-purpose breeds that tolerate both hot, dry summers and cold winters typical of the Tri-Cities area.

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

Questions people ask about Kennewick

▸How many chickens can I keep in Kennewick?

Up to three chickens per residential lot in R, HMU, and UMU zoned districts, per KMC § 18.12.040. This is also subject to a combined cap of six total small animals of any kind on the property.

▸Are roosters allowed in Kennewick?

No. KMC § 18.12.040 explicitly excludes roosters from the allowed chicken-keeping provision.

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

No permit is required to keep up to three chickens. If you want to exceed that number (or the combined six-animal total), you must obtain a Land Use Permit under KMC Chapter 18.42.

▸How far must a chicken coop be from property lines in Kennewick?

The animal-keeping code requires enclosures to "meet setbacks." Kennewick's standard residential side-yard setback is 5 feet from the property line (15 feet for rear yards in most residential zones), per the city's Residential Site Development Standards table (KMC 18.12.010 A.2).

▸What other rules apply to keeping chickens in Kennewick?

Cages, pens, and runs must be kept clean and sanitary, chickens must not be allowed to roam or fly onto neighboring properties, and the birds and their enclosures must not create a nuisance due to noise or smell.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Kennewick or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 22, 2026.