Livestock and Other Farm Animals

Overview

The keeping of farm animals is generally regulated under local zoning, including the number and kinds allowed in urban areas. 

​Most restrictions on livestock in residential areas focus on keeping animals off public property, controlling noise and smell, and providing for adequate living conditions. RCW 16.36.005 generally defines "livestock" to include horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, sheep, llamas, goats, and swine, but the definition may also include other animals such as poultry and rabbits.

Regulating Farm Animals in Residential Districts 

Some jurisdictions subdivide livestock into categories of large and small livestock. For general information on small livestock, see the Small Animals and Livestock Information Services Bulletin (2013) prepared by King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review, which answers a number of frequently asked questions related to King County Code chapter 11.04 and chapter 21A.30, regulating the raising, breeding, and/or fee boarding of small animals or livestock in the county.

Examples of Codes on Keeping Farm Animals or Fowl in Residential Districts

The ordinances below are generally broad in scope and regulate several different types of animals. 

• Blaine Municipal Code Sec. 6.12.060 — Control of Animals Other than Dogs. Imposes restrictions and standards for keeping farm animals in the city, including penalties.
• Bonney Lake Municipal Code Sec. 6.04.130-.135 — Livestock and Poultry. Allows livestock and poultry on single-family residential property, subject to conditions, while Sec. 18.22.060 puts additional zoning restrictions on raising and grazing of livestock and poultry.
• Chelan County Code Sec. 11.88.030 — Livestock. Restricts the number and type of livestock that residents can have within and outside of an Urban Growth Area, depending on lot size.
• Fircrest Municipal Code Sec. 7.16.090 — Livestock. Restricts the number and type of livestock permitted per lot size, beginning with a quarter acre (may keep one sheep, goat, or llama) up to one acre (may keep one cattle, oxen, or swine).
• Thurston County Code Ch. 9.04 — Herd District. Creates a single, countywide stock restricted area. 
• Tukwila Municipal Code Ch. 7.05 — Livestock, Small Animals and Fowl. Defines "large" and "small" livestock, sets minimum lots sizes for the keeping of various types of animals, and prohibits roosters.
• Vancouver Municipal Code Sec. 20.895.050 — Domestic Animal and Livestock. Defines large, small, and miniature livestock and sets minimum lots sizes for each; defines the keeping of four or more dogs as constituting a kennel.

Examples of Urban Agriculture Codes

Under RCW 35.21.192 cities and towns can create urban agriculture zones by ordinance. RCW 35A.21.420 is the applicable provision for code cities. Some local governments have enacted urban agricultural policies to address food production, including raising farm animals on single-family residential lots for personal use. 

• Lacey Municipal Code Sec. 16.21.014 — Defines a range of activities as Urban Agriculture, including the keeping of livestock, although large livestock is only allowed in lots over one acre in size. Prohibits roosters, geese, turkeys, and peacocks.
• Federal Way Municipal Code Ch. 19.262 — Allows community gardens and urban farms are in any zone "if approved by the director;"
• Seattle Municipal Code Sec. 23.42.051 — Establishes requirements for urban farms in residential zones, including a management plan, restrictions on sales and commercial deliveries, etc.
• Thurston County Code Ch. 22.37 — Addresses a range of urban agricultural activities, including the keeping of small farm animals and bees. Large livestock restricted on lots less than two acres in size. 

Examples of Codes Regulating Chickens and Other Fowl

These ordinances specifically regulate keeping chickens and other domesticated fowl within residential areas.

• Bremerton Municipal Code Ch. 7.06 — Requires a license to keep up to five chickens per single-family residential lot.
• Eatonville Municipal Code Sec. 6.30.060 — Prohibits poultry running at large and provides a definition of this; prohibits the breeding of fowl for the primary purpose of selling the birds.
• Palouse Municipal Code Ch. 6.16 — Prohibits keeping of certain types of fowl and poultry; allows owner to keep up to a maximum of 20 chickens; prohibits chickens running at large.
• Shelton Municipal Code Sec. 7.08.040 — Allows up to 5 chickens on lots 5,999 sqare feet or smaller and 12 chickens on lots greater than that; prohibits roosters altogether. 

Regulating the Slaughter of Farm Animals

The slaughter of animals is controlled by state statute (Ch. 16.50 RCW) and state department of agriculture regulations (Ch. 16-24 WAC). However, some Washington local governments have also passed provisions regarding the slaughtering of animals.

Examples of Codes on the Slaughter of Farm Animals or Fowl

• Bridgeport Municipal Code Ch. 9.34 — Prohibits slaughtering except for destroying injured or vicious animals/fowl.
• Eatonville Municipal Code Sec. 6.30.130 — Prohibits slaughtering of animals for commercial purposes.
• Quincy Municipal Code Ch. 9.18 — Prohibits slaughtering of animals or fowl, with exceptions for commercial purposes, destroying injured or vicious animals, and religious ceremonies.
• Yakima Municipal Code Sec. 6.20.044 — Slaughtering is permitted but must be hidden from view, with exceptions for licensed butchers.