Fremont, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Roosters/livestock
- Banned on residential lots
- Chickens under 6,000 sq ft
- Zero allowed
- Chickens over 6,000 sq ft
- Up to 6, no permit
- Enclosure size
- 10 sq ft permeable land/bird
- Max setback (11-15 birds)
- 50 feet from property line
Summary
Fremont bans roosters and livestock on residential lots outright, and limits chickens to properties over 6,000 square feet. Smaller lots cannot keep chickens at all. The animal services manager enforces these caps under Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 6.10.
On real property zoned residential, a pet owner may not keep any roosters or livestock, except goats (caprine type) with an animal fancier permit pursuant to Chapter 6.40. ... On real property zoned residential with an area of more than 6,000 square feet, a pet owner may keep up to a maximum combined total of six female chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and doves, unless a permit is issued under Chapter 6.40. ... On real property zoned residential with an area of less than 6,000 square feet, a pet owner may not keep chickens and may only keep a maximum of two rabbits, pigeons or doves.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 02-2026, passed May 5, 2026).
Full Breakdown
40. 040. On lots over 6,000 square feet, an owner may keep up to six female chickens combined with rabbits, pigeons, and doves (no more than two of those species on one lot) without a permit. On lots under 6,000 square feet, chickens are prohibited entirely and the owner may keep at most two rabbits, pigeons, or doves. 025, which scales up to 10 chickens on lots of 10,000 square feet or more and 15 chickens on half-acre-plus lots. 130 layers on siting rules for the chicken enclosure itself: a minimum of 10 square feet of permeable land per bird, and a minimum setback from any property line that rises with flock size, from 10 feet for one to five birds up to 50 feet for 11 to 15 birds on lots of 21,780 square feet or more. 050(a).
Violations & Fines
Keeping roosters, livestock, or chickens beyond the lot-size allowance without an animal fancier's permit is a code violation enforced by the animal services manager. Excess or noncompliant animals can be ordered removed, and unpermitted enclosures are subject to the setback and structural standards set by the animal services manager under Section 6.10.050(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens on a small lot in Fremont?
Are roosters allowed anywhere in Fremont?
How many chickens can I keep without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fremont
How Fremont compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Fremont to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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