Can I keep chickens in Federal Way, WA?
Yes — Federal Way allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (FWRC 19.260.055, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Coop rules | Suitable pen/structure required, kept clean, 10 ft from side and rear property lines, not between dwelling and front property line; 40 ft setbacks for 20-bird allowance on 35,000+ sq ft lots. |
| Code section | FWRC 19.260.055 |
Federal Way allows any combination of 4 chickens and/or ducks on residential lots under 35,000 sq ft, no permit, no minimum lot size. Lots of 35,000+ sq ft may keep up to 20 birds with 40 ft setbacks. Roosters banned except Suburban Estate zoning.
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Get the media kit →Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Federal Way?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Federal Way (FWRC 19.260.055).
How many chickens can I keep in Federal Way?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Federal Way?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Federal Way.
Are roosters allowed in Federal Way?
No — roosters are prohibited in Federal Way.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Federal Way?
10 feet minimum. Suitable pen/structure required, kept clean, 10 ft from side and rear property lines, not between dwelling and front property line; 40 ft setbacks for 20-bird allowance on 35,000+ sq ft lots.
What law covers backyard chickens in Federal Way?
FWRC 19.260.055. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
FWRC 19.260.055 — read the official code
“Any combination of four chickens and/or ducks may be kept on lots up to 34,999 square feet.” source
“Roosters are not permitted within the city except for those lots zoned suburban estate.” source
Last verified June 11, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code.
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