Alameda County zoning treats chickens as livestock requiring an Animal Fancier's Permit in residential districts. Standard R-1 households can keep up to 1 fowl per 200 sq ft of available space, up to 50 birds total; roosters are restricted by §6.60 noise rules.
Chapter 5.12 (Animal Fanciers Permits) and the zoning code govern poultry keeping in unincorporated Alameda County. In residential R districts, owners may keep up to 1 fowl per 200 sq ft of available rear-yard space (up to 50 total). Larger lots in the Combining 'L' (Livestock) district (40,000 sq ft minimum) can keep 50 fowl plus 2 similar domestic animals (potbellied pigs, goats) per 20,000 sq ft. Coops must meet setback rules from neighboring dwellings. Roosters are not banned but their crowing typically violates §6.60.050 / §5.08.060 noise standards. No slaughtering or commercial sale of eggs/meat without additional permits and zoning.
Keeping fowl without an Animal Fanciers Permit or exceeding limits triggers a §6.65 nuisance order and $100-$500 citation. Rooster noise complaints are handled as barking-animal violations under §5.08.060.
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