Hawthorne, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Aviary bird cap
- 12 birds maximum
- Excluded species
- Pigeons and birds of prey
- Psittacine exemption near dwelling
- Up to 4 birds without permit
- Setback for other birds/fowl
- 35 feet from a habitable dwelling
- Permit authority
- Director of Animal Services
Summary
Hawthorne allows a private, noncommercial backyard aviary as an accessory use in every residential zone, but caps it at twelve birds and limits it to song and decorative species such as canaries, specifically excluding pigeons and birds of prey.
Permitted accessory uses: ... 3. Aviaries (private and noncommercial) for birds such as canaries and other song and decorative birds, but not including pigeons and birds of prey; provided, the total number of birds shall not exceed twelve;
Full Breakdown
" That numeric cap and species exclusion is the operative bird-keeping rule for residential properties; a resident who wants to keep pigeons, hawks, owls or other birds of prey cannot do so under this accessory-use category at all, regardless of number. 030 bars keeping "any animal, fowl or bird, wild or domestic," other than dogs, cats, canaries, or up to four birds of the Psittacine family (parrots and similar), within thirty-five feet of any habitable dwelling unless the keeper first obtains a special permit from the director of animal services or the director of licensing and code enforcement.
That permit application must describe the exact number and nature of the birds and the facilities where they will be housed, and the director may deny it summarily without a hearing.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the twelve-bird aviary cap, keeping pigeons or birds of prey in a residential aviary, or keeping birds within thirty-five feet of a habitable dwelling without the required Section 6.24.030 permit is enforceable as a code violation under the Title 1 general penalty, Section 1.20.010, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, or prosecutable instead as an infraction or civil administrative citation. A permit issued under Section 6.24.030 can also be summarily revoked or cancelled by the director of animal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep pigeons in my backyard in Hawthorne?
How many birds can I keep in a backyard aviary?
Do I need a permit to keep parrots close to my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
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