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

Stanislaus County Zoning Ordinance (Title 21) defines what counts as agricultural animal-keeping. Section 21.12.530 defines 'small livestock farming' as the raising or keeping of more than twelve chicken hens, turkeys, or twelve pigeons, or twelve similar fowl, or twelve rabbits or twelve similar animals, or four permanent standard beehives, or any roosters, quacking ducks, geese, guinea fowl, peafowl, goats, sheep, worms or similar livestock. The definition excludes hog farming, dairying, and the commercial raising of horses or mules. Critically, the same section states that the keeping of animals in quantities less than described above is permitted in any district. That means up to twelve hens (and no roosters) is generally allowed countywide, while larger flocks, or any roosters, require an agricultural or rural-residential zone. In the R-A Rural Residential district, Section 21.24.020 permits small livestock farming on parcels of one acre or more, but excludes hogs and turkeys. Buildings used to keep livestock or poultry must sit at least fifty feet from any public street and forty feet from any window or door of a dwelling or adjacent property (Section 21.24.080). Animal Services handles welfare; zoning is administered by Planning and Community Development.