Domestic Fowl

Keeping of Domestic Fowl in Urban Backyards

Effective April 22, 2026, Tualatin will expand existing regulations for backyard chickens to allow the keeping of ducks and other domestic fowl.

This update follows a community request to clarify and modernize the City’s provisions related to the keeping of fowl in residential areas. Under the new rules, homeowners may apply for a permit to keep up to four fowl. Permitted species include ducks, pheasants, pigeons, quail, partridges, and doves. These birds are generally well-suited to residential environments and may provide benefits such as egg production and natural pest control.

To address potential impacts on surrounding properties, certain birds are prohibited. Roosters, along with geese, guinea fowl, peacocks, turkeys, emus, and ostriches are not permitted due to concerns related to noise, sanitation, and compatibility with neighborhood conditions.

These changes are intended to provide clear guidance for residents while supporting responsible, small-scale urban animal keeping within the community. Key provisions include:

• Domestic fowl are permitted only within the Low Density Residential (RL) Planning District.
• A license is required to keep domestic fowl, and it must be renewed every five (5) years.
• The City will provide notice of an approved license to neighboring property owners.
• Tualatin Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 6-15 establishes standards.

Standards for keeping domestic fowl

As provided in Tualatin Municipal Code (TMC) 6-15-030, every licensee must comply with the following conditions at all times:

1. The place where the domestic fowl are to be kept must be within a planning district that allows the keeping of domestic fowl as a use;
2. A combined maximum of four domestic fowl of any type are permitted on any one lot;
3. Roosters, geese, guinea fowl, peacocks, turkeys, emus, and ostriches are prohibited;
4. On site slaughtering or butchering of a domestic fowl is prohibited;
5. Domestic fowl must be confined at all times within a domestic fowl facility, unless the domestic fowl are roaming under the direct supervision of the licensee within a fenced yard ;
6. The domestic fowl facility must be located in the rear yard of a lot and be at least 10 feet from all property lines and 25 feet from all abutting residences;
7. The domestic fowl facility must not exceed 200 square feet in floor space;
8. The domestic fowl facility must not exceed a height of eight feet measured from the tallest part of the roof surface to the ground;
9. The coop must have at least three enclosed sides. The fourth side may be open with the open side facing away from all neighboring property lines;
10. The domestic fowl facility must be maintained in good repair, in a clean and sanitary condition, and free of vermin and obnoxious smells and substances that create a nuisance for adjoining property; and
11. Domestic fowl feed must be properly stored in a metal or other vermin-proof container.

Please read the whole of TMC 6-15 or Ordinance 1455-26 prior to submitting an application online.