Keeping chickens, poultry, horses, and other livestock in unincorporated SLO County is regulated by the Land Use Ordinance (Title 22, inland) and Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (Title 23, coastal), with density, setback, and minimum-parcel-size rules that vary by zoning category.
Under SLO County Title 22 (Land Use Ordinance) Chapter 22.30 (Standards for Specific Land Uses), animal raising and keeping is allowed as either an incidental or principal use, subject to minimum site area, setback, and density standards that differ by zoning category. The parallel provision in the Coastal Zone is § 23.08.046 (Animal Raising and Keeping (S-3)). Per the County Planning & Building Department guidance, animal enclosures must generally be located no closer than 100 feet from any dwelling other than those on the site; no minimum site area is required where 20 or fewer fowl or poultry are kept; a minimum parcel of one acre is required for more than 20 fowl/poultry. Specialized facilities (kennels, feedlots, poultry/hog/horse ranches, horse boarding, riding lessons) are subject to additional permit requirements under §§ 22.30.060, 22.30.100 (inland) or §§ 23.08.041, 23.08.052 (coastal).
Operating livestock or poultry uses inconsistent with the underlying zone, or violating setback / density standards, can trigger a zoning violation under Title 22 enforcement provisions: notice of violation, abatement orders, daily administrative penalties, and required removal of animals or structures. Continuing nuisances (odor, noise, sanitation) may also be abated under § 9.04.080.
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