Backyard chickens in Kent, Washington

Yes, keeping chickens (and other domesticated fowl such as ducks and geese) is legal in Kent, Washington. Under Kent City Code (KCC) 15.08.070(C), up to three (3) domesticated fowl may be kept on any lot that is at least five thousand (5,000) square feet, subject to the provisions of Ch. 8.03 KCC. One additional bird is allowed for each extra 1,000 square feet of lot area beyond the 5,000 sq. ft. minimum. The city's own FAQ confirms that the coop needs to be kept 10 feet from your property line, and roosters are not regulated separately by code, but they're best avoided — if your neighbors can hear them crow, you are committing a violation of the city's noise ordinance. No permit is required simply to keep the allowed number of fowl. Keeping more fowl than permitted, or fowl kept in violation of KCC 15.08.070, is declared a public nuisance under KCC 8.03.070(3), which can result in civil infractions (up to $125 per KCC 8.03.080).

Kent sits in the mild, wet Puget Sound lowlands. Winters are cool and rainy with temperatures rarely dropping much below freezing, while summers are warm and comparatively dry. This mild, moist maritime climate is generally very favorable for backyard poultry, though coop ventilation and dry bedding are important during Kent's long rainy season to prevent damp conditions and frostbite risk in cold snaps.

Kent's mix of urban neighborhoods, greenbelts, and proximity to the Green River corridor supports populations of raccoons, opossums, skunks, and weasels, all of which are skilled at exploiting weak coop latches or small gaps. Hawks and other raptors are also a concern for free-ranging birds during the day, and coyotes have become increasingly common in Puget Sound suburbs. A secure, fully enclosed run with a covered top and buried hardware cloth is strongly recommended.