Fairfield, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl cap citywide
- 3 chickens/geese/ducks/turkeys
- Livestock minimum lot size
- 1 acre (Sec. 3.4)
- Sale of chicks as novelties
- Banned (Sec. 3.15)
- Coop/pen sanitation duty
- Required clean condition (Sec. 3.21)
Summary
Fairfield caps backyard fowl at three chickens, geese, ducks or turkeys citywide under Section 3.22.1, and bars cows, horses, sheep, goats, hogs or other cloven-hoofed livestock on any lot smaller than one acre under Section 3.4. Both violations are handled as nuisance or misdemeanor matters.
Except as otherwise provided in section 3.68, no person shall keep, corral, or harbor any cow, horse, sheep, goat, hog, or clovenhoofed animal in the city on any single parcel of property less than one acre in size. [Sec. 3.4] ... Due to their potential to create a nuisance when allowed in large numbers because of noise, bodily waste odor or other unsanitary condition, it shall be unlawful for anyone to keep, board or harbor more than three chickens, geese, ducks, or turkeys or similar fowl within the city limits. [Sec. 3.22.1]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4962673; v0 updated 2026-02-17).
Full Breakdown
1 makes it unlawful to keep, board or harbor more than three chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys or similar fowl within Fairfield's city limits, adopted by Ordinance 98-9 specifically because larger flocks create noise, odor and unsanitary-condition nuisances for neighbors. 68 for licensed kennels and similar facilities. 15 bars selling or giving away baby chicks, rabbits or ducklings as pets or novelties, including dyed or artificially colored animals, though natural stock sold by hatcheries and stores for food-raising purposes is exempt. 21's sanitation duty: any coop, pen, stable or barn where animals are kept must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
60 rather than a livestock-specific rule. Enforcement of both the fowl cap and the acreage rule runs through the Solano Animal Control Authority's contracted provider, Humane Animal Services.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than three chickens, geese, ducks or turkeys anywhere in the city, or keeping cattle, horses, sheep, goats or hogs on a parcel under one acre, exposes an owner to citation and abatement action; a chronically unsanitary coop or pen adds a separate Section 3.21 violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Fairfield?
Can I keep a horse or goat in my Fairfield backyard?
Are roosters banned in Fairfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfield
How Fairfield compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Fairfield to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Solano County handle chickens & livestock.