Kirkland, WA has amended its laws to permit up to 3 hens!

[Chotii]

The original municipal code, dated I think 1923, allowed up to 5 pairs of pigeons or chickens per lot.

The new code, adopted 7/10/2009, permits up to 3 hens (no roosters) per property under 35,000 sq ft, with the coop/run required to be at least 10 feet from any property line, and 20 hens per 35,000 sq ft lot, plus 1 hen per 500 sq ft above 35,000. Roosters prohibited on lots under 35,000 sq ft (.8 acre)

Bothell WA has always allowed up to 3 hens, no roosters. The portion of unincorporated King County in which I live is likely to be annexed by Kirkland very soon, and I was anxious because County and City laws differed. I still don't want to be annexed, but at least I don't have to worry about running afowl (cough) of the law if it happens.

 

[Sudsy Chick]

I am also about to be annexed by Kirkland, and want to be sure that I can keep the maximum number of chickens - and would prefer at least 4 or 5.

Should I contact the city and 'grandfather' ourselves under the unincorporated King County law while I still can? (Until June 1, 2011)

Here is the unincorporated King Co law - which I don't quite understand:

"Poultry, chicken, squab, and rabbits are limited to a maximum of one animal per one square foot of structure used to house such animals, up to a maximum of 2000 square feet; provided that this maximum structure size limit shall not apply in rural, forestry, or agricultural zones."

Does this mean as long as I have a nice, big coop I can have as many as I want? (of course - being neighbor friendly!)

http://your.kingcounty.gov/mkcc/clerk/code/30_Title_21A28_21A55.pdf
Section 21A.30.020.E.2.D

TIA!
dawn

 

[Hellebore]

Thank you for posting that link. I also am being annexed into Kirkland. The brochure that came out with the new regulations for annexed areas does not say anything about animals whatsoever. I am not going to call them and alert them to the fact that I have many chickens. I am afraid that if they do not want to grandfather my chickens in that my address will then be on their radar. I think I will take the approach that they should have notified me that grandfathering in was an option, as they are doing with parking large RVs or boats.

 

[Sudsy Chick]

Quote:
Did you understand what that law means, or end up calling the city of Kirkland? How did it go? TIA! dawn