Solano County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Two parts of the Solano County Code apply to backyard birds and farm animals in unincorporated areas. County Code Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl), section 4-14, declares it a nuisance for any person to permit chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, squabs, similar fowl, or rabbits they own or control to run or fly at large or go onto another person's premises. Section 4-15 prohibits selling or giving away baby chicks, ducklings, rabbits, or other fowl that have been dyed an unnatural color, while exempting farmers, ranchers, recognized breeders, dealers, and hatcheries. Section 4-17 requires any pen, coop, barn, or place where animals or fowl are kept to be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Where, how many, and what kind of poultry or livestock may be kept is set by the County zoning ordinance (Chapter 28, Agricultural Uses in section 28.71). The zoning standards for a 'pastured poultry' operation, for example, require a 200-foot setback from any parcel in an (R) residential district, limit the flock to 3,000 birds or fewer, and allow no more than five crowing fowl; a pastured livestock operation must likewise maintain a 200-foot setback from any (R)-district parcel. Adding more than four crowing fowl is shown in the agricultural use tables as triggering a use permit. Because allowed animal keeping varies by zoning district and parcel, owners should confirm their specific zoning with Solano County Planning Services.