Ceres, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 (standard) zone
- Livestock keeping prohibited
- R-A zone minimum lot
- 1 acre required
- Large livestock cap
- 1 horse/cow/mule per acre
- Fowl cap
- 10 chickens/turkeys per acre
- Structure setback from dwellings
- 50 feet minimum
Summary
Ceres bans livestock outright in its standard R-1 single-family zone. Backyard chickens, goats, horses and other farm animals are permitted only in the R-A Residential Agriculture zone, on one-acre-minimum lots, under a strict per-acre headcount and setback formula.
Farms and ranches for animal husbandry and livestock farming, provided:1.There be no more than one horse, mule, cow, steer, nor more than three goats, sheep or similar livestock, nor more than ten chickens, turkeys or similar fowl for each acre of lot area.2.The minimum lot size for such a use shall be one acre.3.There shall be no such animal and no pen, coop, stable, barn or corral within 20 feet of any lot line abutting a street, or within 35 feet of any other lot line, or within 50 feet of any dwelling or other building used for human habitation on the same or adjacent lot.D.Horticulture.E.Apiaries.F.Churches or other religious institutions on a minimum lot size of one acre and located on a major thoroughfare or primary collector as designated by the general plan.G.Residential care facilities, licensed with the State of California. See definition under section 18.02.010 of this title.H.Transitional housing. See definition under section 18.02.010 of this title.I.Supportive housing. See definition under section 18.02.010 of this title. (Ord. No. 2020-1059, § 1, 3-23-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.050(F) flatly prohibits "the keeping of any livestock" in the R-1 single-family residential zone: the city's standard house-lot zoning. Livestock is a permitted use only in the R-A, Residential Agriculture zone, which requires a minimum one-acre lot. There, § 18.07.020(C) caps stock at one horse, mule, cow or steer, or up to three goats, sheep or similar livestock, or up to ten chickens, turkeys or similar fowl per acre of lot area. Any pen, coop, stable, barn or corral must sit at least 20 feet from a street-side lot line, 35 feet from any other lot line, and 50 feet from any dwelling used for human habitation.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock on an R-1 lot violates § 18.08.050(F) as an outright prohibited use. On R-A land, exceeding the per-acre headcount or the 20/35/50-foot setback rules is a zoning violation, enforceable through Title 19 administrative citation and abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in my Ceres backyard?
How many goats can I keep in Ceres?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ceres
How Ceres compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Ceres to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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