Carlsbad, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

020's Table A notes set the operative limits for keeping animals in the E-A zone. Note 1 permits up to 25 small animals or poultry, in any combination, by right, provided they stay at least 75 feet from any habitable structure on the same property, at least 300 feet from a habitable structure on an adjoining residentially zoned parcel, or at least 100 feet from a residentially zoned parcel with no habitable structure on it, whichever distance is greater. 42, so it is not an outright ban but does require discretionary approval.

Note 2 applies the identical 75-foot, 300-foot and 100-foot distance rules to cattle, sheep, goats and swine, but instead of a flat headcount, caps the herd at one animal per half acre of lot area, with no listed conditional-use path to exceed that ratio. Both notes apply specifically within the E-A zone; the same 'small animals and poultry' use and distance formula also appears in Carlsbad's R-A Residential Agricultural zone use table, extending similar backyard poultry and livestock allowances to that zone. Anyone keeping chickens or livestock in the E-A or R-A zones needs to measure both the animal count and every applicable setback distance before assuming a flock or herd is by-right.