California Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits, and Setbacks by City and County

Overview of California Chicken Laws

While local cities and counties govern the specific number of birds you can keep, the State of California maintains overarching authority regarding animal health, disease prevention, and public safety. Our complete guide will answer your questions about how many chickens you can have in your backyard within city limits, permits, roosters in residential areas, setbacks, and more.

California Major Cities Rules

Los Angeles

Up to unlimited (reasonable number) | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from owner's home; 35ft from neighbors (100ft for roosters)

San Diego

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

San Jose

Up to 6 hens (no permit); up to 20 with permit | Roosters not allowed (over 4 months) | Permit required for >6 hens | Setback 20–50ft+

San Francisco

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighboring windows/doors

Fresno

Total ban on poultry within city limits

Sacramento

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighboring dwellings

Long Beach

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($10 fee) | Setback 20ft from owner's home; 50ft from neighbors

Oakland

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from any dwelling, church, or school

Bakersfield

Up to 50 poultry (based on lot size) | Roosters allowed (100ft from dwellings) | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line; 50–100ft from neighbors

Anaheim

Up to 6 poultry on lots under 20,000 sq ft; more on larger lots | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighboring habitable buildings

Other California Backyard Chicken Laws by City and County

Alameda County, CA

Alameda

Up to 6 hens | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Albany

Not specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Berkeley

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from any dwelling

Dublin

Not specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback not specified

Emeryville

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Fremont

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 10ft (1–5 hens); 35ft (6 hens)

Hayward

Dependent on lot size | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Livermore

Up to 10 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback not specified

Newark

Up to 4 hens | Roosters allowed with permit | Permit required for >4 hens or any rooster | Setback not specified

Piedmont

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Pleasanton

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

San Leandro

Up to 4 chickens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 5ft from lines; 20ft from neighbors

Union City

Not specified | Roosters not specified | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Amador County, CA

Amador City

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Ione

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Jackson

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Plymouth

Up to 6 hens (4k–12k sq ft); up to 12 (12k+ sq ft) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 5ft from lines; 25ft from neighbors

Sutter Creek

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Butte County, CA

Biggs

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Chico

1 bird per 250 sq ft | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Gridley

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from residences; 100ft from schools/churches

Oroville

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 60ft from neighbors

Paradise

Up to 2 hens (no permit); up to 12 with permit | Roosters not allowed | Permit required for >2 | Setback 75ft from neighbors

Calaveras County, CA

Angels Camp

Up to 12–15 chickens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 10ft from property lines

Colusa County, CA

Colusa

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($10 annual) | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Williams

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors; 10ft side; 5ft rear

Contra Costa County, CA

Antioch

Not specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback not specified

Brentwood

Up to 24 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft side/rear; 100ft front

Concord

Up to 12 fowl (≤20k sq ft) | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property lines

Danville

Up to 10 or 20 hens (zone dependent) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

El Cerrito

Not specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Pittsburg

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Richmond

Prudent number | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from windows/doors

Walnut Creek

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not in front yard

Del Norte County, CA

Crescent City

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

El Dorado County, CA

Placerville

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property lines or dwellings

South Lake Tahoe

Not specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Fresno County, CA

Clovis

Up to 6 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from dwellings/churches/schools

Coalinga

Up to 4–8 hens (lot size based) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 5ft from property lines

Glenn County, CA

Orland

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($15) | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Willows

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($10 annual) | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Humboldt County, CA

Arcata

Up to 30 poultry | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Blue Lake

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Eureka

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 10ft from lines; 20ft from windows/doors

Ferndale

Not specified | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Fortuna

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 10ft from lines; 20ft from neighbors

Rio Dell

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Trinidad

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Imperial County, CA

Brawley

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Calexico

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from dwellings

Calipatria

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from dwellings

El Centro

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from dwellings

Holtville

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Imperial

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from windows/doors

Westmorland

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Inyo County, CA

Bishop

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Kern County, CA

Arvin

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

California City

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Delano

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

McFarland

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Ridgecrest

Up to 4–12 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Shafter

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from windows/doors

Taft

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Tehachapi

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Wasco

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from windows/doors

Kings County, CA

Avenal

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 25ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Corcoran

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Hanford

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 40ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Lemoore

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Lake County, CA

Clearlake

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Lakeport

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($25) | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Lassen County, CA

Susanville

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($25) | Setback 20ft from lines; 50ft from neighbors

Los Angeles County, CA

Baldwin Park

Total ban on poultry within city limits

Bell Gardens

Total ban on poultry within city limits

Bellflower

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Hawthorne

Up to 2 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Huntington Park

Total ban on poultry within city limits

La Puente

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from habitations

Lancaster

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Lynwood

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from habitations

Norwalk

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Palmdale

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 15ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Pomona

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from habitations

South Gate

Up to 2 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from dwellings

Madera County, CA

Chowchilla

Up to 12 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Madera

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Marin County, CA

Larkspur

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from windows/doors; 5ft from lines

Mill Valley

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Novato

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 50ft from neighbors

San Anselmo

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

San Rafael

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Sausalito

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Mendocino County, CA

Fort Bragg

Up to 6–12 birds (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required (Minor Use in some zones) | Setback 10ft from lines; 25ft from streets/neighbors

Ukiah

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from habitations; 5ft from lines

Willits

Up to 6 chickens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback reasonable distance from openings

Merced County, CA

Atwater

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Dos Palos

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from dwellings

Gustine

Up to 25 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Livingston

Up to 10 birds | Roosters allowed on 1+ acre | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from habitations

Los Banos

Total ban on poultry in standard residential zones

Merced

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Modoc County, CA

Alturas

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Mono County, CA

Mammoth Lakes

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors; 15ft from lines

Monterey County, CA

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Gonzales

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 20ft from lines; 40ft from neighbors

Greenfield

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

King City

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Marina

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from doors/windows

Monterey

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Pacific Grove

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Seaside

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Soledad

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from windows/doors

Napa County, CA

American Canyon

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Calistoga

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Napa

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Saint Helena

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from other dwellings

Yountville

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors; 10ft from lines

Nevada County, CA

Grass Valley

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Nevada City

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Truckee

Up to 6 hens (under 1 acre) | Roosters not allowed (under 1 acre) | Permit not required | Setback 10ft from lines; 20ft from neighbors

Orange County, CA

Aliso Viejo

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft rear; 15ft side

Buena Park

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 10ft from property lines

Costa Mesa

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 30ft from neighbors

Cypress

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Fountain Valley

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Fullerton

Up to 24 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Garden Grove

Up to 5–10 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required for >5 | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Huntington Beach

Up to 6 poultry | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors/schools/churches

Irvine

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines

La Habra

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines

Laguna Niguel

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft rear; 15ft side

Lake Forest

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft rear; 15ft side

Mission Viejo

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Placentia

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Rancho Santa Margarita

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft rear; 15ft side

Santa Ana

Up to 4 hens (no special permit) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required for >4 | Setback 30ft (up to 4); 100ft (>4)

Tustin

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Westminster

Up to 25 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Yorba Linda

Up to 6 fowl | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Placer County, CA

Auburn

Up to 5–10 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 20ft from lines

Colfax

Up to 8 chickens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($1) | Setback 5ft from lines

Lincoln

Up to 6–10 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 10ft from lines; 30ft from neighbors

Rocklin

Up to 10 poultry | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines/buildings

Roseville

Up to 10 birds | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required (Special for >10) | Setback 20ft from lines/buildings

Plumas County, CA

Portola

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Riverside County, CA

Beaumont

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Cathedral City

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from structures/lines

Coachella

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from habitations

Corona

Up to 10 chickens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 10ft from property lines

Desert Hot Springs

Up to 25 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Hemet

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Indio

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors; 5ft from lines

Jurupa Valley

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 35ft from doors/windows

La Quinta

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines

Lake Elsinore

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Menifee

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines

Moreno Valley

Up to 2 poultry | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Murrieta

Up to 4–30 birds (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 10ft from lines

Perris

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from neighbors

Riverside

Up to 50 poultry (lot dependent) | Roosters not allowed (under 1 acre) | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from neighbors

Temecula

Up to 12–50 birds (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 75ft from property line

Wildomar

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines

Sacramento County, CA

Citrus Heights

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Elk Grove

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Folsom

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Galt

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Isleton

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Rancho Cordova

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Benito County, CA

Hollister

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Juan Bautista

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Bernardino County, CA

Chino

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Chino Hills

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Fontana

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Ontario

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Rancho Cucamonga

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Redlands

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

San Bernardino

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Upland

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

San Diego County, CA

Carlsbad

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Chula Vista

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

El Cajon

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Encinitas

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Escondido

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

La Mesa

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Oceanside

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Poway

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

San Marcos

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Santee

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

Vista

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from property line

San Joaquin County, CA

Lodi

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Manteca

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Ripon

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Stockton

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Tracy

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Arroyo Grande

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Atascadero

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Grover Beach

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Morro Bay

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Paso Robles

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Pismo Beach

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Luis Obispo

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Mateo County, CA

Belmont

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Half Moon Bay

Up to 3–4 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required for 5+ | Setback 20ft from property line

Menlo Park

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Redwood City

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

San Mateo

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Santa Barbara County, CA

Buellton

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from dwelling

Carpinteria

1 per 1,000 sq ft (max 24) | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 25ft from dwelling

Santa Barbara

15–30 (zone dependent) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 35ft from dwelling

Santa Maria

No specific limit | Roosters prohibited if nuisance | Permit not required | Setback N/A (nuisance-based)

Santa Clara County, CA

Cupertino

Zoning ordinances apply | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback zoning/sanitation rules

Gilroy

See local zoning | Roosters not allowed (over 4 months) | Permit not required | Setback standard zoning

Milpitas

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required ($21 annual) | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Mountain View

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 25ft from residences (or consent)

Santa Clara

Up to 6 total animals | Roosters not allowed | Permit required if within 50ft | Setback 50ft from other dwelling

Santa Cruz County, CA

Capitola

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors (lots 5k+ sq ft)

Santa Cruz

2 birds per 1,000 sq ft | Roosters not allowed in R-1 | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines; 25ft from dwellings

Scotts Valley

Up to 25 hens (district dependent) | Roosters allowed in some rural districts | Permit not required | Setback contact Planning

Watsonville

Total of 6 domestic animals | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Shasta County, CA

Redding

Up to 20 hens (20k+ sq ft) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from dwelling; 15ft from lines

Sierra County, CA

Loyalton

No specific limit | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback avoid public nuisance

Siskiyou County, CA

Yreka

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback 5–20ft (varies by side)

Solano County, CA

Benicia

Up to 10 hens (single-family); 6 (multifamily) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Dixon

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback avoid nuisance

Fairfield

Up to 3 hens (under 1 acre); no limit (1+ acre) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Rio Vista

No limit specified | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback not specified

Suisun City

Up to 3 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required | Setback enclosed pen/coop

Vacaville

1 per 1,000 sq ft (max 9) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback contact Code Enforcement

Vallejo

Up to 10 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 5ft side/rear; 20ft from structures

Sonoma County, CA

Healdsburg

Up to 10 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Petaluma

Subject to permit | Roosters allowed with permit | Permit required | Setback proximity/nuisance standards

Santa Rosa

3–12 hens (lot size) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 5ft side; 20ft rear

Windsor

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from side/rear lines

Stanislaus County, CA

Ceres

Up to 10 hens (1+ acre) | Roosters allowed (1+ acre) | Permit not required | Setback 50ft from dwelling

Modesto

Up to 12 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from dwelling

Patterson

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit required for 6+ | Setback nuisance-based

Turlock

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback enclosure standards

Sutter County, CA

Yuba City

Up to 12 hens per 0.5 acre | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback avoid nuisance

Tehama County, CA

Corning

No specific limit | Roosters prohibited if nuisance | Permit not required | Setback avoid nuisance

Red Bluff

Up to 12 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from neighbors

Trinity County, CA

Up to 25 chickens per 20,000 sq ft | Roosters allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft front; 6ft side; 20ft rear

Tulare County, CA

Dinuba

Not permitted in residential zones

Porterville

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Tulare

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Visalia

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from lines/structures

Tuolumne County, CA

Tuolumne County (R-1)

Up to 4–12 hens (lot size) | Roosters prohibited | Permit not required | Setback outside building setbacks

Sonora

Subject to nuisance ordinances | Roosters prohibited if nuisance | Permit not required | Setback avoid impact

Ventura County, CA

Camarillo

Up to 5 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from side/rear lines

Moorpark

1 per 1,000 sq ft (max 6) | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Ojai

Up to 4 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from property line

Oxnard

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 20ft from neighbors

Simi Valley

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 30ft from side/rear lines

Thousand Oaks

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from habitable rooms

Ventura

Up to 6 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 25ft from neighbors

Yolo County, CA

Davis

Up to 6 hens | Roosters prohibited | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from any residence

Woodland

Up to 6 hens | Roosters prohibited | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from any residence

Yuba County, CA

Marysville

Up to 12 hens | Roosters not allowed | Permit not required | Setback 40ft from any dwelling

Wheatland

4–12 hens (zoning dependent) | Roosters prohibited | Permit not required | Setback 30ft from dwellings; 20ft from lines

Rural & Unincorporated Counties

Unincorporated California is generally much more chicken-friendly than the cities, especially on agricultural or rural-residential land. Many counties impose few or no strict hen limits on larger parcels. Key examples include Riverside County rural areas, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Tulare, Kern, Fresno County (outside city limits), and parts of Sacramento and Sonoma Counties. Roosters are commonly allowed on larger acreage, subject only to general nuisance and setback rules. Always confirm with the specific county planning or animal-control department, as local ordinances still apply.

California Statewide Poultry Laws & Requirements

1. Mandatory Disease Reporting

Under 3 CCR § 821.1 and CA Food & Agri Code § 9101, every poultry owner must report unusual illness or high death rates to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This helps track Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Virulent Newcastle Disease.

Sick Bird Hotline: 866-922-2473

2. Biosecurity Standards & Inspections

CDFA expects all bird owners to follow basic biosecurity. Under CA Food & Agri Code § 9574, state veterinarians may enter and inspect premises if a contagious disease is suspected.

The recommended “Six Ways” practices (which can become mandatory during outbreaks) are: keep distance from wild waterfowl, clean shoes and clothes before/after the coop, disinfect equipment, never share gear with other owners, isolate new birds for 30 days, and know the signs of illness.

3. Civil Code & HOAs

CA Civil Code § 4750 protects the right to grow food but does not guarantee the right to keep livestock. CA Civil Code § 4753 limits unreasonable HOA restrictions on some backyard activities, yet chicken keeping is still controlled mainly by local zoning, not state law.

4. Rooster Restrictions (AB 928 Update)

Under CA Food & Agri Code § 32105, keeping more than 25 roosters on one property is prohibited unless the birds qualify for commercial or agricultural exemptions. The rule targets illegal cockfighting but also affects large hobby flocks in unincorporated areas.

5. Identification and Transport

When moving poultry inside California (sales, shows, etc.), 3 CCR § 821.1(c) requires you to provide proof of origin if a CDFA official asks, to confirm the birds are not from a quarantined zone.

California State Regulations & Biosecurity

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) focuses on commercial flocks, feed, and disease control. For backyard keepers the main issues are bird health, transportation, and Control Area rules.

Biosecurity is critical because of past Avian Influenza outbreaks. CDFA encourages voluntary flock registration and strict hygiene to stop disease spread.

Roosters are legal under state law but are banned or heavily restricted in almost every major city and suburb because of noise ordinances.

The Biosecurity Buffer: “Control Area” Restrictions

If your property sits inside a 10-kilometer radius of a commercial poultry farm, you are in a Control Area. In high-production counties such as Riverside, Merced, and Stanislaus, CDFA can issue emergency “Stop Movement” orders during disease spikes. These orders override local city permissions and freeze all poultry movement.

Proposition 12: The Humane Housing Benchmark

Proposition 12 is written for commercial farms, yet local animal-control officers often use its standard—“freedom to turn around, lie down, stand up, and fully extend limbs”—when checking backyard coops after a complaint. Providing at least 1 square foot of usable floor space per bird meets the state’s basic anti-cruelty expectation.

California Zoning and HOA Covenants

Chicken rules in California are almost always tied to your property’s zoning (R-1, AR, etc.). Even when a city ordinance allows chickens, R-1 zones usually impose tighter hen limits and setbacks.

The ADU Setback Trap

Many cities require coops to stay 20–35 feet from “any dwelling.” New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built under SB 9 can suddenly make an existing coop non-compliant if it sits too close to the new living space. Always verify setbacks against every permitted structure on your lot and neighboring lots.

Check your local Assessor or Planning Department for exact zoning before you buy birds or build a coop.

The HOA Rule

HOA covenants always override city law. If your CC&Rs ban fowl, you cannot keep chickens even when the city or county allows them.

Permit, Licensing, and Inspection Requirements

Large cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego often require no permit for small flocks (usually under 6 hens). Many other California cities require annual registration or a one-time zoning permit so the coop meets health, safety, and nuisance standards.

Common permit types include: annual Animal License/Registration with Animal Control (typical fee $15–$30), one-time Zoning Conformance Permit reviewed by Planning (typical fee $50–$100), and health inspections triggered by complaints.

Predator Threats in California

California’s mix of urban areas and wildlands creates high predator pressure. Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and hawks are common statewide; foothill and canyon zones also face bobcats and mountain lions.

Basic protection starts with ½-inch hardware cloth, a buried apron or skirt, secure latches, and fully enclosed runs. For detailed predator-proofing techniques, climate-specific breed advice, and daily management tips, see our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide.

Selling Backyard Eggs in California

California allows small-scale producers to sell fresh shell eggs directly to consumers. Most sellers must register as an egg handler with the CDFA Egg Safety and Quality Management Program. Flocks under 500 hens may qualify for limited labeling exemptions when selling only from the production site.

Registration is required for anyone producing, handling, or selling eggs. Direct sales are allowed from your property, farmers’ markets, or farm stands. Packages must show name/address, quantity, “keep refrigerated,” sell-by date, and the CA handler code (small direct sales may skip some markings if no advertising is used). Eggs must stay below 45°F after packing. Interstate sales need extra federal compliance.

For full details and registration, visit the official CDFA Egg Safety and Quality Management Program.

California State Poultry Slaughter Rules

California follows federal USDA Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) rules and has no separate state poultry inspection program for small flocks.

Personal use is fully exempt: you may slaughter birds you raised for your household, family, non-paying guests, or employees without inspection.

Commercial sale is restricted. Home-slaughtered meat cannot be sold unless processed in a USDA-inspected facility or under a federal small-producer exemption (Producer/Grower ≤1,000 or ≤20,000 birds/year with limits). Most backyard flocks do not qualify for resale.

Humane handling and sanitary conditions are required. Local nuisance ordinances often restrict or ban on-site slaughter in residential areas even when chicken keeping itself is allowed.

For official guidance, review USDA FSIS poultry exemptions or contact the CDFA Meat, Poultry & Egg Safety Branch.

Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success

Once your local jurisdiction approves chickens, these compact 4×12 coop designs help maximize limited California backyard space: sturdy walk-in coop plans.

For ongoing care—heat-tolerant breeds, dust and drought management, predator prevention, odor control, egg quality, and daily troubleshooting—see our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide.

Official Sources

1. When available, we reference California municipal codes from verified platforms like library.municode.com, ecode360.com, and local municipal government websites at the time of publication.

2. California Poultry Regulations (Official Government Site)