Santa Clara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- No permit needed
- four or fewer roosters
- Permit required
- five or more roosters
- Coop setback
- 50 feet from occupied dwellings
- Permit expires
- December 31 each year
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows up to four roosters without a permit, but keeping five or more requires an annual rooster coop permit from the Animal Care and Control Manager under Section B31-117.
No person shall keep, maintain or harbor five or more roosters within unincorporated Santa Clara County without first obtaining a rooster coop permit from the Manager, and subject to the provisions of the County Zoning Ordinance. The annual fee for the permit shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
No permit is required to keep, maintain or harbor four or fewer roosters. However, the roosters shall be reasonably confined to the property, maintained in a sanitary condition, and not be creating a public nuisance.
(Ord. No. NS-300.784, § 1, 6-5-07)
Sec. B31-118. - Permit application. An application for a rooster coop permit to keep, maintain or harbor five or more roosters shall be in writing on a form approved by the Manager. The applicant shall list the number of roosters to be kept, maintained or harbored. The Manager will issue a rooster coop permit to an applicant who meets the requirements of this chapter. The permit must be renewed on an annual basis.
(Ord. No. NS-300.784, § 1, 6-5-07)
Sec. B31-119. - Requirements, regulations and standards. Before the Manager will issue a rooster coop permit, the applicant shall comply with the County Zoning Ordinance, the provisions of this Chapter, applicable state law and with the following requirements:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Sec. B31-117 sets the line at five roosters: four or fewer need no permit but must be reasonably confined, kept sanitary, and not create a nuisance. Five or more requires a written application (Sec. B31-118), compliance with the County Zoning Ordinance, and coops built so they don't conflict with any building code or setback line and sit at least 50 feet from any occupied dwelling (Sec. B31-119(c)). Permits expire every December 31 and must be renewed annually (Sec. B31-120). This chapter regulates roosters specifically, general hen and livestock counts are set by the county's Zoning Ordinance for the parcel's zoning district, not by Division B31.
Violations & Fines
Keeping five or more roosters without a permit is unlawful; the Manager may deny or revoke a permit for nuisance conditions, unsanitary coops, or a cruelty-to-animals conviction within the prior five years (Sec. B31-122), and late renewal draws a penalty set by Board resolution (Sec. B31-120).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many roosters can I keep without a permit in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Does this rooster permit also cover hens or other livestock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
How Santa Clara County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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