CULTURE

Portland's Urban Homestead Laws

Harvest season got you hankering to start your own super-Portlandy backyard farm? Master the local rules of citified animal husbandry.

By Alisha Gorder September 3, 2013 Published in the September 2013 issue of Portland Monthly

0913 farm laws portland urban blbypt

Image: Nomad

CHICKENS
Space: For flocks of four or fewer chickens, the City of Portland recommends two square feet of coop space per bird. For more than four chickens, it’s four square feet per bird.
Other requirements: Your chicken run needs to be at least 8–10 square feet per bird.
*No roosters allowed.

BEES 
Space: An outdoor hive
Other requirements: The hive must be at least 25 feet from any public street, sidewalk, or park and have a six-foot partition to keep it from view. Also, the area must be secured to keep people from stumbling upon the hive. Buzzkill!

HORSES & LLAMAS 
Space: At least 45 square feet for stall area 
Other requirements: An additional 4,500 square feet for pasture/exercise area

GOATS 
Space: 20 square feet per goat for sleeping and resting; pygmy goats require 15–30 square feet per goat 
Other requirements: A minimum of 30 square feet is needed for additional exercise areas.

VIETNAMESE POT-BELLIED PIGS 
(The only type of pig allowed for longer than three days at homes within Portland city limits)
Size: No larger than 95 pounds, 18 inches at the shoulder

RABBITS 
Space: 3.5 square feet of cage space per rabbit  

UNICORNS & SPARKLE PONIES
No limits; have as many as you can feed!

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