Chino, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- RD-1 and RD-2 zoning districts
- Horses/mules
- 1 per 6,000 sq. ft. of lot
- Goats (female)/sheep
- 1 per 3,000 sq. ft. of lot
- Minimum lot
- 2 acres for primary animal keeping
- Prohibited
- On-site slaughter; crowing poultry
Summary
Chino allows horses, goats, sheep, and other livestock only in the RD-1 and RD-2 zoning districts, at set animal-per-lot-area ratios, with minimum lot size, fencing, and waste-management standards.
B.Noncommercial (Household) Animal Keeping.1.Animal keeping as a primary use of the property must be on a lot or parcel no less than two acres in size.2.No person shall slaughter any animal on any lot or parcel.3.Crowing poultry and fowl shall not be permitted on any lot or parcel. ... Horses/Mules: Allowed only in the RD 1 and RD 2 districts, 1 per 6,000 square foot of lot area. Goats (female only)/Sheep: Allowed only in the RD 1 and RD 2 districts, 1 per 3,000 square foot of lot area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code § 20.21.030 governs animal keeping citywide. Household (noncommercial) animal keeping as a primary use requires a lot of at least two acres, and animals must be enclosed by a fence or wall at least five feet high and kept at least 100 feet from any domestic water well. Horses and mules are capped at one per 6,000 square feet of lot area, and female goats/sheep at one per 3,000 square feet, both limited to the RD-1 and RD-2 districts; commercial dairies need at least 10 acres with 500 square feet of corral per cow. On-site slaughter is banned on any lot, and crowing poultry is prohibited citywide. Chapter 20.16 (Right to Farm) separately limits when animal keeping or agricultural operations can be treated as a nuisance. Adopted by Ord. 2010-05, § 1(exh. A), 2010, most recently amended by Ord. 2022-010, §§ 10-11, 7-19-2022.
Violations & Fines
Keeping animals beyond the table's per-lot limits, without the required fencing or setbacks, or slaughtering an animal on any lot is a zoning code violation subject to the city's standard enforcement and penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse on my Chino property?
Are backyard chickens allowed in Chino?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
How Chino compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle chickens & livestock.