Modoc County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Modoc County's animal code, Title 6, contains just two chapters: Chapter 6.02 (Dog Control) and Chapter 6.06 (Bees). There is no county ordinance setting a maximum number of backyard chickens, ducks, or other poultry, and no separate small-livestock-keeping chapter. In a sparsely populated, agriculture-dominated county, the keeping of chickens and small livestock is principally a matter of land-use zoning rather than animal control. The County Code does regulate the conditions under which animals create problems through statewide and nuisance mechanisms, but it does not cap fowl numbers for ordinary rural keeping. Because there is no specific county chicken rule, owners should confirm the permitted uses and any setback or structure requirements for their parcel with the Modoc County Planning Department (the County administers its land-use plan and zoning under separate titles of the code). California also gives the County Agricultural Commissioner and the Sheriff roles in animal and agriculture enforcement. If your birds or livestock stray, the open-range and estray rules of California Food and Agricultural Code apply (Modoc is a statutory grazing county). We did not find any county hen-count or coop-permit ordinance, so we do not state one; verify your zoning district before building coops or pens.