Backyard Chickens

Overview

A license is required to raise and keep backyard chickens in the City of Sherwood. A license is valid for five years and may be renewed.  If you are in a Home Owners Association, please check with them prior to submitting an application to raise chickens. Not all HOA’s allow the raising of chickens. The application to raise backyard chickens is found below. If your application to raise backyard chickens is approved, your adjacent neighbors will be informed of your license. The adjacent neighbor notification form is found below.

For more information about raising backyard chickens please contact the Sherwood Planning Department at (503) 925-2308.

A $50.00 application fee is required at the time of application submittal.

Municipal Code

Keeping chickens shall be in accordance with Sherwood Municipal Code 6.03

• Persons wanting to raise backyard chickens within the City of Sherwood must first obtain a license, demonstrate compliance with the criteria, and pay a $50.00 application fee. 
• Chickens are only allowed in the rear yard on property that is occupied with a single family detached home.
• No roosters are allowed within the City.
• Chicken enclosures must be at least ten (10) feet from the property line and at least twenty-five (25) feet from any abutting dwelling unit (on neighboring properties).
• Up to three (3) hens are allowed on properties at least 7,000 square feet in size, up to five (5) hens are allowed on properties at least 10,000 square feet in size.
• Chicks up to twelve (12) weeks old are allowed indoors and are not subject to the limitations above.
• Chickens must be kept within a secure enclosure at night. During daylight hours, chickens must be kept within a secure enclosure unless under direct supervision within a fenced yard.
• Allowing chickens to enter adjoining properties is prohibited.
• Enclosures and the places where the chickens are located must be maintained in good repair, in a clean and sanitary condition, and free of vermin, and offensive smells and substances that create a nuisance for residents within the immediate vicinity.
• Chickens must be kept for personal, non-commercial use only. No person may sell eggs or engage in chicken breeding or fertilizer production for commercial purposes.
• Tenants and renters of property are permitted to keep chickens only with the written permission of the property owner included with the license request.
• Enclosure exceeding two hundred (200) square feet or 10 feet in height must obtain a building permit from the City of Sherwood Building Department.
• Violations of this chapter are classified as a Class C violation.