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Colfax · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Colfax

Colfax's own rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Each rule below links to the section of the Colfax Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Colfax's code says

Colfax code What Colfax's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes, no more than 8 chickens.
    Applies: R-1 single-family lots of at least 4,356 square feet, or smaller with at least 20 by 30 feet open; administrative permit required.
    § 6.20.020 · code text
    Maximum number of chickens: No more than eight.
  • Yes, up to 15 small animals, including chickens and small fowl other than turkeys, peafowl and guinea fowl.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of 1 acre or less.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than fifteen (15) small-sized animals on parcels of one acre or less;
  • Yes, up to 30 small animals, including chickens and small fowl other than turkeys, peafowl and guinea fowl.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of 2 acres or less.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than thirty (30) small-sized animals on parcels of two or less acres in size;
  • Yes, up to 50 small animals, including chickens, for each 3 acres or fraction of 3 acres.
    Applies: Agricultural parcels of 3 or more acres. Small fowl count, except turkeys, peafowl and guinea fowl.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    For parcels of three or more acres in size, not more than fifty (50) small-sized animals for each three acres or fraction thereof.
Coop setback
  • At least 5 feet from any building or structure on the neighboring property.
    Applies: Applies to chicken housing.
    § 6.20.020 · code text
    Housing shall not be located within five feet of any building or structure on adjacent property, but may be attached to any building or structure on the property upon which Chickens are kept and raised.
  • At least 30 feet from the street.
    Applies: Applies to chicken housing between the front of the home and the street it faces.
    § 6.20.020 · code text
    Housing shall not be located between the front of the residence and any street the residence faces unless it can be located a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the street the residence faces.
Large animals
  • No large animals.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of less than 2 acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    No large animals on parcels of less than two acres;
  • 1 large animal.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels larger than 2 acres and smaller than 4 acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    One large animal on parcels larger than two acres and smaller than four acres;
  • No more than 2 large animals.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of 4 to 6 acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    A maximum of two large animals on parcels of four to six acres;
  • No more than 1 large animal for every 3 acres.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of 7 or more acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than one large animal for every three acres, for parcels of seven or more acres in size.
  • No medium-sized animals (sheep, goats, pigs).
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels less than 2 acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    No medium-sized animals on parcels less than two acres in size;
  • No more than 5 medium-sized animals (sheep, goats, pigs).
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels larger than 2 acres and less than 4 acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than five medium-sized animals on parcels larger than two acres and less than four acres;
  • Not more than ten (10) medium-sized animals (sheep, goats, pigs)
    Applies: agricultural parcels between four and six acres in size
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than ten (10) medium-sized animals on parcels of between four and six acres in size;
  • No more than 5 medium-sized animals (sheep, goats, pigs) per acre.
    Applies: Applies to agricultural parcels of 7 or more acres.
    § 6.20.010 · code text
    Not more than five such medium-sized animals for each acre, for parcels of seven or more acres in size.
Permit
  • An administrative permit is required.
    Applies: Applies to keeping and raising chickens on any property covered by the ordinance.
    § 6.20.020 · code text
    An administrative permit allowing the keeping and raising of chickens shall be obtained from the city, and all fees paid, before chickens can be kept and raised on any property subject to this ordinance.
Pet limit
  • No more than 2 dogs and 2 cats over 4 months old.
    Applies: Applies to properties not zoned agricultural.
    § 6.20.020 · code text
    No more than two dogs and two cats over four months of age are allowed on properties zoned other than agricultural.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Colfax?

Colfax's code: Yes, no more than 8 chickens. (R-1 single-family lots of at least 4,356 square feet, or smaller with at least 20 by 30 feet open; administrative permit required.) (§ 6.20.020); Yes, up to 15 small animals, including chickens and small fowl other than turkeys, peafowl and guinea fowl. (Applies to agricultural parcels of 1 acre or less.) (§ 6.20.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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