Colusa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 44-4.110.020 governs domestic animal densities in Colusa County's residential and transitional zones. The keeping of domestic animals, meaning livestock and poultry beyond ordinary household pets, is not allowed at all on parcels smaller than 6,000 square feet. On larger parcels, Table 44-4.110-1 allocates a rising number of "Animal Density Points" by lot size, and Table 44-4.110-2 assigns each animal type a point value that counts against that allotment. Cattle count for 20 points each and horses, ponies, or mules for 15 points each, meaning a single cow or horse already consumes a meaningful share of even a multi-acre parcel's allowance, while sheep, goats, and alpacas count for 8 points, and small animals like rabbits or backyard fowl, including ducks, chicken hens, and female turkeys, count for just 1 point each.

Roosters get their own restriction on top of the point system: Section 44-4.110.020(B) states that roosters, geese, peacocks, and turkeys count for 4 points each on lots larger than five acres, but roosters, geese, peacocks, and male turkeys "are not allowed in the R-1 through R-4 zones, and are only allowed in the R-R, U-T, and A-T zones on parcels greater than five acres in size." A separate fencing rule in Section 44-4.110.030(D) requires roosters, geese, and peacocks to be kept at least 100 feet from any neighboring dwelling, on top of the acreage and zoning restriction.