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

Unincorporated Lake County regulates backyard chickens, fowl and other small livestock through the animal density standard in the Suburban Reserve zoning district, Sec. 16. Parcels are limited to raising, feeding, maintaining and breeding animals at set densities per 20,000 square feet of parcel area: one hog or pig per 80,000 square feet, one horse, mule, cow, steer or similar animal per 20,000 square feet, three goats, sheep or similar animals per 20,000 square feet, 24 chickens or similar animals per 20,000 square feet, and 10 ducks, rabbits or similar animals per 20,000 square feet.

Beekeeping is folded into the same standard: one beehive per 20,000 square feet, capped at two hives per parcel within one mile of a populated area (defined as 10 or more dwelling units within a quarter-mile diameter). Parcels smaller than 20,000 square feet may still keep animals, scaled proportionally to lot size, and any combination of animal types is allowed if the Planning Director finds the combined density comparable to the listed limits. Offspring are not counted toward the density cap until they reach six months of age, giving owners a grace period for new litters, chicks or kids.

Any owner who wants to exceed these numeric caps, whether adding more birds or keeping larger livestock than the formula allows, must first obtain a minor or major use permit, with the Planning Director deciding which permit tier applies based on how far the request exceeds the by-right density. The same numeric formula also governs land zoned Rural Lands (RL) and Agricultural (A), where agricultural uses including livestock grazing and animal husbandry are permitted subject to the performance standards of Article 41, but the R1 single-family district instead limits animal keeping to horses at one horse per 40,000 square feet under Sec. 17, with no allowance there for chickens, goats or other small livestock as of right.