Sacramento County Zoning Code §3.9.3.G allows backyard chickens, ducks, and geese on Carmichael residential lots of at least 10,000 square feet. Roosters require larger lots (typically AR or AG zoning). Coops must be set back from property lines.
Under Sacramento County Zoning Code §3.9.3.G.2, fowl (chickens, ducks, geese) are allowed in unincorporated residential zones only on parcels of 10,000 square feet or more. Many Carmichael RD-5 (5,000 sqft minimum) and RD-7 (7,000 sqft minimum) lots are below the 10,000-sqft threshold and may not legally keep poultry. Roosters are typically restricted to Agricultural-Residential (AR) and Agricultural (AG) zones (5+ acres). The 4-H and Future Farmers of America exemption at §3.9.3.G.2.e allows youth participants to keep animals temporarily for project purposes regardless of lot size. Coops must be set back at least 10 feet from neighboring dwellings and kept sanitary under SCC §9.04.
Zoning violations are enforced by Sacramento County Code Enforcement with administrative penalties $100/$200/$500. Sustained sanitation or noise complaints can result in abatement orders requiring removal of the animals.
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