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Pets, chickens and bees in Waterford

No more than 6 domestic hens; coops must be at least 20 feet from any window or door of a home.

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Key points

  • Hens: No more than 6 domestic hens; coops must be at least 20 feet from any window or door of a home.

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

What Waterford's code says

Waterford code What Waterford's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes, no more than 6 domestic hens.
    Applies: Applies to domestic fowl in the city.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    No more than six domestic hens.
Coop setback
  • At least 20 feet away.
    Applies: Distance from pens, coops or cages for fowl to any window or door of a home.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    There shall be a minimum of twenty feet between the window or door of any building used for human habitation and pens, coops, cages or similar housing where fowl are kept.
  • At least the required side yard distance.
    Applies: Distance from pens, coops, cages or similar fowl housing to any property line.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    There shall be a minimum separation equal to the required side yard between any property line and any pens, coops, cages or similar housings for fowl.
Large animals
  • At most 4 horses, 4 llamas or 4 head of cattle.
    Applies: Lots of 1 acre or more, outside the AG district; larger lots may keep more in the same proportion.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    On parcels which are one acre or larger in size, there may be maintained a maximum of four horses or four llamas or four head of cattle.
  • 2 sheep, 2 goats or 2 miniature horses; plus 2 pigs or 2 calves for registered 4H or FFA projects.
    Applies: Lots of one-half acre or more, outside the AG district.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    On parcels which are one-half acre or larger in size, there may be maintained two sheep or two goats or two miniature horses. In addition, there may be maintained two pigs or two calves when the animals are being raised as part of a 4H or FFA project and are registered with the city.
  • Stallions, bulls, turkeys, guinea fowl, pea fowl, geese and ostriches are not allowed.
    Applies: Applies in every area of the city.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    The following animals are not allowed in any area of the city: stallions, bulls, turkeys, guinea fowl, pea fowl, geese or ostriches.
Permit
  • An animal keepers permit and a conditional use permit.
    Applies: Applies to exotic animals beyond the code's number limits.
    § 17.40.110 · code text
    The number of allowed animals, as defined by this title, may not exceed the limits set forth in Title 6 unless the property owner has obtained an animal keepers permit and a conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 17.75.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

No more than 6 domestic hens; coops must be at least 20 feet from any window or door of a home.

General information, not legal advice.

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Waterford Municipal Code — full text