Rohnert Park, CA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Enclosure setback
- 25 feet from any dwelling but the owner's, § 6.04.190
- Pigeon permit threshold
- 3+ pigeons require a city permit, § 6.04.210
- Pigeon pet exception
- fewer than 3 kept solely as pets
- At-large birds
- can be seized and impounded, § 6.04.230
- Aggregate cap
- 12 birds/rabbits/rodents/reptiles without a hobby kennel permit, § 6.04.250
- Default penalty
- infraction under § 6.02.050
Summary
Rohnert Park requires birds, rabbits, rodents and reptiles to be kept in a secure enclosure at least twenty-five feet from any dwelling other than the owner's, and separately requires a city permit to keep three or more pigeons, under Municipal Code §§ 6.04.190 and 6.04.210.
No person shall keep on any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him or her any birds, rabbits, rodents or reptiles unless such animals are kept in an enclosure sufficient in all respects to confine such animal within such enclosure and no part of such enclosure shall be situated within twenty-five feet of any dwelling built for occupation by or occupied by human beings, except such dwelling as may be owned or occupied by the person owning or having control of such animal. ... No person shall keep any pigeons inside the city limits unless a permit has first been obtained from the city except for persons keeping less than three pigeons solely as pets.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
190 requires anyone keeping birds, rabbits, rodents or reptiles on their premises to confine them in an enclosure sufficient in all respects to prevent escape, and bars locating any part of that enclosure within twenty-five feet of a dwelling built for human occupation, other than the owner's own home. The same section separately prohibits overcrowding animals in any crate, hutch, box or other receptacle and requires the owner to provide proper food, water, shelter and sanitation regardless of the setback issue. 210 layers a permit requirement on top of that for pigeons specifically, defined to include domestic or wild pigeons and expressly 'homing' or 'racing' pigeons: no one may keep pigeons inside the city limits without first obtaining a city permit, unless they keep fewer than three solely as pets.
230, which bars letting any domestic bird, rabbit, rodent or reptile run at large and lets the animal control officer seize and impound one found doing so. 250 caps the total number of birds, rabbits, rodents and reptiles on one premises at twelve, in the aggregate across species, before a hobby kennel permit is required.
Violations & Fines
Violating the twenty-five-foot enclosure setback, letting a bird run at large, or keeping three or more pigeons without a permit defaults to an infraction under § 6.02.050. An animal control officer can seize and impound a bird, rabbit, rodent or reptile found at large under § 6.04.230, and the owner bears the cost of retrieving it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my house can I put a birdcage or rabbit hutch in Rohnert Park?
Do I need a permit to keep pigeons?
What happens if my pet bird gets loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rohnert Park
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Bird Protection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sonoma County handle bird protection.