Brentwood, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- R-E zone livestock limit
- 2 large or 4 small livestock per acre
- R-E small animal limit
- 24 small animals per acre
- Chicken house setback
- 60 ft front, 40 ft side/rear
- Barn/stable setback
- 100 ft front, 50 ft side/rear
- Old enclosure rule
- 20 ft from any dwelling, church, school
- Pigs
- Allowed only in R-E district
- Misdemeanor penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
Brentwood limits chickens, rabbits, and livestock to residential zones that allow them, with strict numeric caps and setbacks. The R-E zone permits up to 2 large livestock or 4 small livestock or 24 small animals per acre, and chicken houses must sit 60 feet from the front line and 40 feet from the sides or rear.
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep any chickens, ducks, pigeons, geese, turkeys, rabbits, Belgian hares, guinea pigs or other domestic fowl or animals in any enclosure in the city of Brentwood unless the exterior boundaries of the enclosure are more than twenty feet from any dwelling, church or school. ... A. Within the residential zoning districts, the standards indicated in the following table shall apply: Zoning Animals Allowed Number Allowed Per Acre Min. Lot Size R-E Cows, pigs, goats, sheep, fowl, rabbits, horses, and similar animals 2 large livestock, or 4 small livestock, or 24 small animals (or combination thereof) Large and small livestock: 1 ac. No min. lot size for small animals (no minimum needed due to 1 acre min. lot size required by zoning) ... B. Chicken houses, rabbit hutches, and similar accessory structures provided for the housing of smaller animals shall be set back not less than sixty feet from the front property line or any street line, and shall be not less than forty feet from any side or rear property line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4604307; v5 updated 2025-12-09).
Full Breakdown
005(A) sets a table of allowed animals by residential district. In the R-E district, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, fowl, rabbits, horses, and similar animals are allowed up to 2 large livestock, or 4 small livestock, or 24 small animals per acre (or a combination), with a 1-acre minimum lot size for livestock and no separate minimum for small animals. R-1-E and the R-1-6/8/10 districts allow the same numbers except pigs are excluded outside R-E, and R-2/R-3 districts allow the same animals only on parcels used for single-family residential or agricultural purposes.
Subsection (B) sets structural setbacks: chicken houses, rabbit hutches, and similar accessory structures must sit at least 60 feet from the front property line or any street line and at least 40 feet from any side or rear line, while subsection (C) requires barns and stables sheltering livestock to sit 100 feet from the front line and 50 feet from side or rear lines, and subsection (D) keeps fenced pastures and paddocks at least 10 feet off any property line. Subsection (E) requires animal waste to be removed, composted, or spread to minimize odor and flies, and subsection (F) requires animals to be secured in pens, barns, corrals, or adequately fenced areas at all times.
08 (dating to 1949 and never repealed) makes it unlawful citywide to keep chickens, ducks, pigeons, geese, turkeys, rabbits, Belgian hares, guinea pigs, or other domestic fowl or animals in an enclosure unless its exterior boundary sits more than 20 feet from any dwelling, church, or school, unless the neighboring dwelling owner gives written consent.
Violations & Fines
A Chapter 6.08 violation is a misdemeanor under Section 6.08.040, punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to six months in jail, or both. Letting fowl or livestock run loose onto a neighbor's property is a separate violation under Section 6.08.030. Zoning violations of Chapter 17.670's setback and density standards are enforced through the city's general zoning enforcement and nuisance-abatement procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep on a Brentwood residential lot?
Can I keep pigs in my Brentwood backyard?
Does Brentwood require a setback between a chicken coop and my neighbor's house?
What happens if my chickens get loose in Brentwood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brentwood
How Brentwood compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Brentwood to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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