Per the City of Fresno's Code Enforcement FAQs, farm animals such as rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and horses are not permitted in residentially zoned districts of the city.
Unlike many California cities that allow a limited number of backyard hens, the City of Fresno prohibits keeping farm animals in its residentially zoned districts. The City's Code Enforcement FAQ page states that 'Farm animals such as rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and horses are not permitted in residentially zoned districts' and directs questions to the City's code enforcement line at (559) 621-8400. Whether livestock or poultry may be kept on a particular parcel turns on its zoning designation under the Fresno Municipal Code zoning ordinance (Chapter 15); agricultural and rural-residential zones treat the question differently than standard single-family residential zones. (Note: unincorporated areas of Fresno County outside the city limits are governed by a separate Fresno County animal-control ordinance.) Residents who keep poultry where allowed remain subject to the city's nuisance provisions, including noise.
Keeping prohibited farm animals in a residentially zoned district is a zoning/code-enforcement violation handled by the City of Fresno Code Enforcement Division. Violations of the Fresno Municipal Code charged as infractions carry fines up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional violation within one year (FMC 1-304(c)); the City may alternatively pursue an Administrative Citation ($250 first, $500 second, $1,000 each thereafter).
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fresno County.
See how other cities in Fresno County handle chickens & livestock.
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