Portland, Oregon

[Xtina]

I feel like this thread must exist somewhere with so many Portlanders on this forum, but I searched several times and couldn't find anything. I thought I'd start a thread, not only for me, but for new members from the city.

I have three hens in my backyard. I thought the law was that Portlanders could have a maximum of three and NO roosters. But lately I've been noticing yards that have more than three and I saw a rooster at a nursery. Now, I'm not after ratting anyone out...I would never do such a thing. But, if it's legal to have more than three, I'd like to know it. And even though I don't want a rooster, no knowledge is bad knowledge, right? So, who lives here and has bothered to find out the exact law regarding chickens in Portland? What's the word on roosters? Is there any legal step that owners of chickens must take, like registering?

If this thread already exists and someone knows where it is, a link post will suffice, but I know new members will want to just search the term "Portland, Oregon" in this section and find what they're looking for.

 

[coffeemama]

I'm pretty sure it is 3 hens max and no roosters. The reason some people have more is A. they don't know the rules, or B. they are underground chicken keepers.

 

[Xtina]

Excellent, thanks for the verification. More power to the underground keepers, imo.

 

[bock to the future]

The information I have states that 3 chickens are allowed in Portland without a permit. A permit for more than 3 chickens costs $31.00. Personally I would go for the permit and have more chickens!

 

[Xtina]

Ooooohhh, that's interesting! I didn't know that was an option.

 

[aiwetir]

my neighbor told me that they come and check out your coop placement and coop if you get a permit. coop has to be like 25 feet from any residence and if it's taller than 6 feet, there is a property line setback.

i'm not 100% sure of any of this information though.

the stores can have roosters. no law against selling a meat rooster i believe and no law against someone from out of town coming to your in-town store to buy a rooster.

 

[Xtina]

Excellent, thanks for the info!

 

[aiwetir]

city of portland rules:

http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28228

 

[HeatherHillary]

Incidentally, you probably already know this, but two great Portland chicken resources are:

Concentrates, Inc http://www.concentrates.blogspot.com/

Pistils http://www.pistilsnursery.com/

I used to be manager of the first (sure mess all of the folks there), and used to sell to the second, also really great folks.

We got our hens when we lived in Portland. Miss PDX, enjoy it for us!

Heather

 

[conradpdx]

The actual local law can be found at:

http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=28228

The only question I got about it if I have 3 hens can I also have 3 rabbits, 3 goats, and 3 ducks. Might be a bit much for my 50' x 100' lot. but never having to mow and a slugless garden/lawn (not to mention meat and milk) might make it worth the efforts.

Hope this helps.

<edit> Sorry missed that someone beat me to posting the link.....