Berkeley allows up to 6 hens on residential lots with no roosters, under BMC Title 10, with setback and coop requirements that reflect the city urban homesteading culture.
Berkeley Municipal Code allows residents to keep up to 6 hens (no roosters) on single-family residential lots without a permit, provided coops meet setback requirements (typically 20 feet from neighboring dwellings and 5 feet from property lines). Coops must be kept clean to avoid vector nuisance complaints. Roosters are prohibited citywide due to noise. Other small livestock such as rabbits and pygmy goats are addressed case by case under the animal keeping provisions. Berkeley embraces urban agriculture with programs like the Edible Schoolyard and supports backyard chickens as part of local food resilience policy. Slaughter on residential property is prohibited.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle chickens & livestock.
See how Berkeley's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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