Contra Costa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Per § 82-50.404, § 82-50.406, and § 82-50.408 of the County Ordinance Code: female domesticated hens are allowed at a rate of one per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, up to a maximum of 20 hens, on any residential lot of at least 1,000 sq ft. Fowl (hens, ducks, geese, turkeys), rabbits, and other grain-fed rodents are capped at 20 total farm animals and require a lot of at least 20,000 sq ft (though rabbits may be kept as pets on lots under 20,000 sq ft). Livestock (e.g., goats) require a 40,000 sq ft minimum lot and are limited to 2 animals per 40,000 sq ft. Honeybees are scaled by lot size: 4 hives at 6,000 sq ft, 6 hives at 20,000 sq ft, and 8 hives at 40,000+ sq ft; an apiary must be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Small animal structures (coops, hutches) and beehive structures have a 12-foot maximum height. Setbacks vary by lot width: for lots under 80 ft wide, structures must be 50 ft from the front and 10 ft from side/rear (15 ft for beehives); for lots 80-120 ft, 50 ft front and 25 ft side/rear; for 120+ ft, 60 ft front and 40 ft side/rear. Livestock barns and stables require 100 ft from the front and 50 ft from side/rear at any lot width. Roosters are prohibited in residential zones; up to 2 roosters are allowed only on agricultural lots of 5 acres or more in the A-2, A-3, A-4, A-20, A-40, and A-80 districts (County Code Articles 84-38.14, 84-40.14, 84-42.16, 84-80.14), with case-by-case exceptions for commercial poultry, schools, and 4H/FFA youth projects.