Backyard chickens in Richland, Washington
Everything you need to know before you start a backyard flock in Richland – the rules, the climate and the neighbors with teeth.
Can you keep chickens in Richland?
Thinking about keeping a few backyard hens in Richland, Washington? The city allows hens as household pets, but keeps a tight rein on flock size and draws a clear line at roosters. Here's what Peggy's Happy Chickens found in the actual Richland Municipal Code.
Yes – with conditions
Yes. Under the Richland Municipal Code (RMC), chickens are classified as "household pets" — but only hens. RMC 7.03.010 defines "household pets" as "any dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens (except for roosters), ducks, geese, pigeons, or other similar domestic animals over the age of six months" (§ 7.03.010). RMC 7.03.015 then caps the total number of household pets — of any combination of the species listed — at five per dwelling unit and lot (§ 7.03.015).
Because roosters are specifically excluded from the "household pets" definition, they fall under the city's definition of "livestock," which includes "fowl" (§ 7.03.010). RMC 7.03.020 provides that livestock may not be kept in any residential district except in accordance with Chapter 23.14 RMC, the agricultural zoning chapter — meaning roosters are effectively not allowed on typical residential lots in Richland.
The rules at a glance
- Hens in city limits
- Allowed
- How many hens
- 5
- Roosters
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Permit cost
- Not specified
- Setback from property line
- Not specified
Peggy knows Richland
The rules, straight from the municipal code.
Richland's animal control chapter does not set a chicken-specific coop size or setback requirement for household-pet hens — the primary constraint is the overall 5-household-pet cap per dwelling/lot under RMC 7.03.015, which counts hens together with any dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, geese, or pigeons already kept on the property.
If you are in one of Richland's agricultural zoning districts (AG or SAG) and wish to keep livestock-classified fowl (including roosters) in larger numbers, Chapter 23.14 RMC applies instead: in the AG district, a maximum of 12 animals/fowl may be kept per gross acre, and any structure, pen, or building housing livestock must be set back at least 25 feet from any lot line and at least 40 feet from any one-family dwelling, with pastures/fencing set back at least 15 feet from an on-site dwelling. In the SAG district, structures used to keep livestock must be set back a minimum of 50 feet from any property line. These agricultural setbacks do not apply to ordinary backyard hens kept as household pets on standard residential lots.
The city's animal noise ordinance (RMC 7.03.340) also prohibits animals — including poultry — from creating prolonged or continuous noise that disturbs neighbors, which is part of why roosters are discouraged/excluded from the household-pet category.
Keeping a flock happy in Richland
🌡️ Climate
USDA Hardiness Zone 7a/7b — Semi-Arid Steppe (Köppen BSk)
Richland sits in the semi-arid Columbia Basin of southeastern Washington, with hot, dry summers (frequently 90–100°F+) and cold, occasionally freezing winters. Chicken keepers should prioritize shade, ventilation, and ample water in summer, plus wind-blocking and insulated coops for the relatively dry, cold winters.
🦝 Who's after your hens
Richland's proximity to the Columbia and Yakima Rivers and surrounding shrub-steppe habitat means backyard flocks may face raccoons, opossums, and skunks at night, along with hawks during the day and coyotes/foxes especially near the city's edges and greenbelts. Secure, covered runs and nightly coop lock-up are strongly recommended.
🐔 Breeds that do well here
Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Buff Orpington, Wyandotte — cold-hardy, heat-tolerant dual-purpose breeds suited to the Columbia Basin's temperature swings.
Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.
Questions people ask about Richland
▸How many chickens can I keep in Richland?
Chickens (hens) count toward Richland's overall household pet limit of five animals per dwelling unit and lot, as set out in RMC 7.03.015. This total includes any dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, geese, or pigeons you already keep — so five hens is only possible if you have no other qualifying pets.
▸Are roosters allowed in Richland?
No. RMC 7.03.010 specifically excludes roosters from the definition of "household pets," placing them instead under the city's "livestock" definition. Livestock cannot be kept in residential districts except under the agricultural zoning provisions of Chapter 23.14 RMC, so roosters are generally not permitted on standard residential lots.
▸Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Richland?
No permit is required for household-pet hens under RMC Chapter 7.03. Permits under this chapter are only required for potentially dangerous/dangerous animals and commercial kennels, not for ordinary backyard hens.
▸Is there a required setback for a chicken coop in Richland?
RMC Chapter 7.03 does not set a specific coop setback for household-pet chickens on standard residential lots. Setback rules (e.g., 25–50 feet from property lines) only apply to livestock structures in the city's Agricultural (AG) or Suburban Agricultural (SAG) zoning districts under Chapter 23.14 RMC.
▸What happens if my chickens become a nuisance?
RMC 7.03.340 prohibits animals, including poultry, from causing prolonged or continuous noise that disturbs neighbors, and general nuisance provisions apply to unsanitary conditions. Violations of Chapter 7.03 are civil infractions with escalating fines (up to $100 for a first offense, rising to $400 for repeat offenses).
City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Richland or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 30, 2026.
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