Fountain Valley, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.30.040(1)
- Banned
- Livestock, fowl or other animals of any kind
- Applies in
- Any subdivision in the City of Fountain Valley
- Exceptions
- Dogs, cats and customary household pets only
- Poultry allowance
- None printed in the code
Summary
In the City of Fountain Valley, California, Municipal Code § 21.30.040(1) bars keeping or maintaining livestock, fowl or other animals of any kind in any subdivision, with exceptions only for dogs, cats and customary household pets. Backyard chickens are fowl, and the code carves out no exception for them.
The purpose of this section is to ensure that the raising, keeping and maintenance of animals would not create an adverse impact on surrounding properties by reason of negative impacts (e.g., bright lights, dust, fumes, insect infestations, noise, odor or visual blight) by providing standards for maintaining the animals. Animal keeping uses shall comply with the requirements of this section and other applicable provisions of this code. (1) Regulations. The keeping or maintaining of livestock, fowl or other animals of any kind shall not be allowed in any subdivision except as provided below.
Full Breakdown
Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.30.040 opens with a purpose statement: the raising, keeping and maintenance of animals must not create an adverse impact on surrounding properties through bright lights, dust, fumes, insect infestations, noise, odor or visual blight. Animal keeping uses in the City of Fountain Valley must comply with that section and with other applicable provisions of the code.\n\nThe operative rule is subsection (1), titled Regulations. It says the keeping or maintaining of livestock, fowl or other animals of any kind shall not be allowed in any subdivision except as provided below.
The word 'fowl' covers chickens, roosters, ducks and turkeys, and the phrase 'other animals of any kind' sweeps in goats, pigs, sheep and similar livestock. What is provided below is narrow. Subsection (2) allows a maximum of three dogs and/or cats over six months of age as an accessory use, and subsection (3) allows other household pets of a type readily classifiable as customarily incidental and accessory to an allowed principal residential use when no commercial activity is involved. Neither exception mentions poultry or farm animals, so a backyard hen flock does not fit either one.\n\nThis is a citywide zoning standard in Title 21, the Development Code adopted by the City Council, not a neighborhood association rule.
The Planning and Building Department administers it through code enforcement. Residents who want chickens have no permit route in this section: the text prints no license, coop-size formula, or hen-count allowance. The separate animal control title adopts Orange County animal regulations by reference in Chapter 7.04, but the land use ban on fowl sits in § 21.30.040. Anyone considering a flock in the City of Fountain Valley should confirm with Planning and Building before buying birds.
Violations & Fines
Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.30.040 prints no penalty clause of its own. A chicken or livestock complaint in the City of Fountain Valley goes to Planning and Building code enforcement as a Development Code violation, and the owner is told to remove the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Fountain Valley?
Is there a permit for a small flock?
Why does the code regulate animals at all?
Do livestock like goats or pigs fall under the same rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fountain Valley
How Fountain Valley compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Fountain Valley to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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