Burbank, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Roosters
- Crowing roosters banned w/o permit
- Bird/Fowl Limit
- 25 combined (BMC 5-1-304)
- Pygmy Goats
- 1 max, permit required (BMC 5-1-308)
Summary
Burbank bans crowing roosters on residential property and caps birds, fowl, rabbits, and chinchillas at 25 (combined) without a permit. Cows, goats (except one permitted pygmy goat), sheep, and most livestock are outright prohibited.
A. Limitations on Kind and Number: No person shall keep any crowing roosters or more than twenty five (25) live birds or domestic fowl, or rabbits, or chinchillas, or similar birds, fowl or animals, or more than twenty five (25) of any combination thereof, upon any lot or separate parcel of land or upon any number of contiguous lots or separate parcels of land under the same ownership or possession, or owned or in possession of any person, upon land the use of which is restricted or zoned for residential purposes by this code or any other ordinance of the City; provided, however, that crowing roosters or more than twenty five (25) birds may be kept on residentially zoned property if a permit therefor is obtained from the Animal Shelter Superintendent and maintained in full force and effect, as hereinafter provided.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-4,038, passed February 24, 2026).
Full Breakdown
BMC section 5-1-304(A) prohibits keeping any crowing roosters, or more than 25 live birds, domestic fowl, rabbits, chinchillas, or similar animals (or 25 of any combination) on residentially zoned property unless a permit is obtained from the Animal Shelter Superintendent. Exceeding 25 birds or keeping crowing roosters requires Planning Commission approval after a public hearing (5-1-304(B)). Separately, BMC 5-1-301 prohibits keeping a long list of nondomestic and farm animals within the City 'except in a circus, carnival, motion picture studio, television studio, pet shop, parade or at the City Animal Shelter' - the list expressly includes 'rooster,' 'cow,' 'calf,' 'bull,' 'goat,' 'sheep,' 'buffalo,' and similar livestock.
BMC 5-1-303(C) further limits certain animals to no more than four each within 35 feet of any inhabited structure, school, or hospital, and 5-1-303(A) bars most animals (other than horses, dogs, cats, pigs, fish, and certain birds) within 35 feet of inhabited structures. Pigs are limited to one Vietnamese potbellied pig under 100 pounds with a permit (5-1-307); pygmy goats are limited to one with a permit (5-1-308).
Violations & Fines
Keeping prohibited livestock or exceeding the 25-bird limit without a permit is a Title 5 violation/nuisance; unpermitted nondomestic animals are declared a nuisance the City Attorney may summarily abate (BMC 5-1-302(F)), and violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Burbank?
Are goats, cows, or sheep allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burbank
How Burbank compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Burbank to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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