Bishop, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Enclosure
- Substantial, prevents at-large
- Animal-yard setback
- 100 feet from residence
- Also from
- Public way, church, school
- Swine
- Prohibited
- Code section
- BMC 6.08.100
Summary
Bishop treats horses, cattle, sheep, goats and similar animals as "animals" that must be kept in a substantial enclosure and may not run at large. A poultry or animal yard must be at least 100 feet from any residence, public way, church, or school. Swine are banned.
It is unlawful to maintain in the city any poultry or animal yard within 100 feet of any building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the one maintaining such poultry or animal yard, or their immediate family, or within 100 feet of any public way, other than an alley, or within 100 feet of any church or school building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Bishop Municipal Code 6.08.010 defines "animals" to include horses, ponies, mules, cows, bulls, sheep, goats, rabbits, and other domesticated animals other than household pets. Section 6.08.040 requires every owner to keep such animals and poultry within a good and substantial enclosure preventing them from running at large, and 6.08.030 makes it unlawful to allow them to run at large on any public street or to trespass. Section 6.08.100 bars maintaining any poultry or animal yard within 100 feet of another person's residence, of any public way (other than an alley), or of any church or school building. Live swine or pigs are prohibited entirely by 6.08.120.
Violations & Fines
Livestock kept in a foul, offensive, or unsanitary condition (6.08.020) or a yard violating the 100-foot rule is a nuisance the city council may abate within ten days, with costs charged to the owner (BMC 6.08.130-.140).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a livestock yard be from a home?
Can livestock roam loose in Bishop?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bishop
How Bishop compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Bishop to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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