Humboldt County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary Regulator
- Humboldt County Planning & Building (Land Use Division)
- Land Use Division Phone
- 707-445-7205
- Livestock Officer Phone
- 707-445-7251
- Right-to-Farm Protection
- California FAC § 31152 (livestock defense against dogs)
- Where Allowed
- Agricultural and rural-residential zones (varies by parcel)
Summary
In unincorporated Humboldt County, the keeping of chickens, poultry, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock is governed by the County's Inland and Coastal Zoning Regulations administered by the Planning & Building Department, and California state law gives livestock owners broad protection against farm-related nuisance claims under the Right-to-Farm framework.
Any person may kill any dog in any of the following cases: (a) The dog is found in the act of killing, wounding, or persistently pursuing or worrying livestock or poultry on land or premises which are not owned or possessed by the owner of the dog. (b) The dog is not on the premises of its owner or possessor, and there is upon the land or premises livestock or poultry which has been killed or wounded by a dog, but only if such person has good cause to believe, and does believe, that the dog killed or wounded the livestock or poultry. (c) The person has such proof as conclusively shows that the dog has been recently engaged in killing or wounding livestock or poultry. No action, civil or criminal, shall be maintained for the killing of any such dog.
Full Breakdown
Humboldt County is a heavily agricultural North Coast county and the keeping of chickens and livestock is regulated through the County's Inland Land Use Ordinance (Title III of the Humboldt County Code) and the Coastal Zoning Regulations administered by the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department at 3015 H Street, Eureka (707-445-7205). ). The Land Use Division provides the public counter for confirming which zone applies to a specific parcel and what animal-keeping uses are permitted, conditional, or prohibited. California state law adds a strong backdrop: California Food and Agricultural Code section 31152 protects livestock and poultry owners by authorizing them, with specified preconditions, to kill a dog 'found in the act of killing, wounding, or persistently pursuing livestock or poultry on land or premises not owned or possessed by the owner of the dog,' and forecloses any 'civil or criminal' action against a person who kills a dog under the conditions set by that statute. Humboldt County also operates a Livestock Officer (707-445-7251) to handle stray livestock and livestock-related complaints.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock in a residential zone that does not allow it, exceeding density caps for the zone, or violating setback or rooster restrictions is a zoning violation enforceable by Humboldt County Code Enforcement through administrative citations and abatement orders. Sanitation, odor, and at-large-livestock issues are separately enforceable by Humboldt County Environmental Health and the Sheriff's Livestock Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in unincorporated Humboldt County?
What if a neighbor's dog attacks my livestock?
Are there setbacks for chicken coops and animal pens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Humboldt County
How Humboldt County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Humboldt County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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