As a resident of Marion County, Oregon, you may be interested in keeping chickens or other fowl on your property. However, before you do so, it is important to understand the regulations set forth by the county government to ensure that you are in compliance and avoid any potential legal issues.
Regulations for Urban Areas
If your property is zoned as Single-Family Residential or Urban Development, you are allowed to keep and raise chickens, subject to certain regulations. These regulations include:
Maximum Number of Chickens:
A resident of a single-family dwelling or duplex may keep up to six hens on the lot on which they reside. However, in Woodburn or Silverton Urban Growth Boundary, the maximum number allowed is three.
Location:
Hens are allowed only in a fully fenced rear yard.
Confinement:
Hens shall be confined at all times within a coop, pen, or chicken run, except when under the personal supervision of an owner or custodian.
Size of Coop:
A coop shall not exceed 120 square feet in area or 10 feet in height.
Space Requirement:
There shall be a minimum of six square feet of run space per hen.
Setback:
A chicken coop shall be set back at least three feet from any building on the subject property and 25 feet from any residence on a neighboring property.
Feed Storage:
Chicken feed must be kept secure from pests.
Waste Management:
All animal byproducts and waste must be collected and removed on a regular basis, allowing the storage of one sealed 20-gallon container.
Roosters:
Roosters are prohibited.
Sales:
No sales of eggs, chickens, chicks, slaughtered chicks or chickens, or fertilizer is allowed.
Regulations for Rural Areas
In the AR (Acreage Residential) zone, the keeping and raising of fowl (including pheasants, turkeys, grouse, peacock, and domestic chicken) is allowed provided all fowl are confined to the property on which they are being kept.
If you plan to raise animals for food, fur, or monetary gain (which includes chickens), you are considered to be engaged in a farm use. Farm use is allowed in rural farm and forest zones (EFU, SA, FT, TC) and the Acreage Residential zone, but not in the Single-Family Residential zone. Generally, farm use is also not allowed in any of the County’s industrial or commercial zones.
What to do if Your Neighbor is Violating the Regulations
If you have reason to believe that your neighbor is violating the regulations for keeping chickens or fowl, you can contact Marion County Code Enforcement. You can reach them at (503) 373-4333 or enforcement@co.marion.or.us. You can also use the complaint form on their website: http://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/Operations/CodeEnforcement/complain.htm
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you live in Marion County and wish to keep chickens or other fowl on your property, it is important to be aware of the regulations set forth by the county government. By following these regulations, you can ensure that you and your birds are in compliance with the law, and avoid any potential legal issues. If you have any questions about the regulations or need assistance in understanding them, do not hesitate to contact the Planning Division at (503) 588-5038 or planning@co.marion.or.us.
