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

Section 3-1 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code defines "livestock" as horses, ponies, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, sheep, rams, lambs, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers, cows, calves, mules, jacks, jennets, burros, goats, kids, swine, and poultry, and separately defines "poultry" as all domesticated fowl and all game birds held in captivity. Because poultry is folded into the livestock definition, chickens, ducks, geese and other domesticated fowl are governed by Section 3-13, which makes it unlawful to keep any livestock in the city unless the owner applies to and is granted a special animal permit from the police chief.

The only carve-out named in the section is the Orange County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center. The permit process itself runs through Chapter VI of Title 3 (Sections 3-145 through 3-152): a written application to the police chief on a city form, an application fee set by city council resolution, and disclosures covering the animals' housing, safety precautions, anticipated noise or odor, and any history of incidents. The police chief can grant the permit with conditions or deny it, and a denied or aggrieved applicant may appeal to the city manager within 15 days of notice.

Keeping chickens or other livestock without first securing that permit is a code violation regardless of flock size, since Section 3-13 contains no small-flock or backyard exemption of its own.