Hayward, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Household pets without extra review
- Up to 4 hens, ducks, pigeons or rabbits
- Coop setback
- 5 feet from line, 6 feet from dwelling
- Large livestock minimum lot
- 20,000 square feet
- Large livestock density
- 1 animal per 20,000 square feet
- Livestock setback
- 20 feet from line, 40 feet from dwelling
- Permit type
- Zoning Conformance Permit
Summary
Hayward lets households keep up to four hens, ducks, pigeons, or rabbits with a Zoning Conformance Permit under Section 10-1.2735(i), so long as the lot is at least 4,000 square feet and the coop sits 5 feet from the property line and 6 feet from any dwelling. Raising cows, horses, or other large livestock takes a 20,000-square-foot lot and stricter 20-foot and 40-foot setbacks.
(a)For large and medium livestock, the minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet;(b)For exotic animals, poultry or other birds, the minimum lot area shall be 4,000 square feet, or greater, depending on the species of the animal, as determined by the Planning Director.(b)Fowl: In no case shall hens, ducks, pigeons, or other small fowl be kept on a parcel that is less than 4,000 square feet in size.Beehives and all structures for the housing of household pets, including chicken coops, shall be located not less than 5 feet from any property line and not less than 6 feet from any dwelling on the same or adjoining lot.(a)Household Pets: A Zoning Conformance Permit is required for the establishment of the following household pets: Hens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits and other similar small animals, as determined by the Planning Director, where the proposed total number on a property does not exceed four (4) of such animals.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 28 Update 1 | Charter: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
2735(i) folds backyard chickens into the city's broader livestock and household-pet standards. Up to four hens, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, or similar small animals qualify as household pets and need only a Zoning Conformance Permit, filed on a self-certification form acknowledging the maintenance standards, with the requirement waived entirely if the coop sits at least 40 feet from any residence. The coop or enclosure itself must stay at least 5 feet from any property line and 6 feet from any dwelling, and it cannot rise above 6 feet in height or sit in front of the main house.
Anything beyond four birds, or any large or medium livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, or pigs, needs a 20,000-square-foot lot at minimum, with density capped at one large animal per 20,000 square feet or one medium animal per 10,000 square feet on a parcel of at least 20,000 square feet. Those animals also need 20 feet of setback from any property line and 40 feet from any dwelling, plus 5,000 square feet of open area per large animal or 2,500 square feet per medium animal, and poultry need 36 square feet of open area each.
Every enclosure must be fenced strongly enough to contain the animals without injury. Owners must remove manure daily and store it in fly-tight containers, keep hay and grain in rodent-proof storage, and clear the animal area of rubbish. A legal, nonconforming flock or herd can continue indefinitely, but the permitted maximum can never increase, and a six-month gap with no animals on site ends the nonconforming status.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than four birds, or any livestock, without the required Zoning Conformance Permit is a zoning violation, as is undersized lot area, missing setbacks, or manure and pest conditions that violate the maintenance standards in Section 10-1.2735(i)(8). Livestock abandoned on a property or the public right-of-way is separately prohibited, and any permit for keeping livestock must include a plan for eventually relocating the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in my Hayward backyard?
How big does my lot need to be for a chicken coop?
What about keeping goats or a horse?
Do I have to clean up after backyard animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hayward
How Hayward compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Hayward to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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