Highland, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit for poultry and rabbits
- department review permit in any residential district
- Parcels under 10,000 sq ft
- 20 adult poultry, rabbits or small animals total
- Larger parcels
- 50 per 20,000 sq ft, never more than 500
- Roosters
- one per parcel in R-1, R-2 and R-3
- Goats and sheep
- 10,000 sq ft minimum, two per 10,000 sq ft, up to eight
- Cattle
- 20,000 sq ft minimum, one per 10,000 sq ft, up to two
Summary
In the City of Highland, California, poultry and rabbits need a department review permit in any residential district, with a cap of 20 adult animals on parcels under 10,000 square feet and no more than one rooster per parcel in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts. Goats, sheep and cattle carry their own lot-size minimums under HMC § 16.44.040.
E. Animals Permitted Subject to Department Review Permit. The keeping of the following animals in any combination shall be permitted subject to issuance of a department review permit within any residential district: 1. Goats, Sheep and Other Small Sized Cleft Hoof Animals. ... ... b. Two adult goats, sheep or other small sized cleft hoof animals may be kept for each 10,000 square feet of net lot area, up to a maximum total of eight adult animals total, in any combination of species. ... ... 3. Poultry, Rabbits and Other Small Animals. a. On legal parcels less than 10,000 square feet net lot area, a maximum total of 20 adult animals, in any combination of species, may be kept. b. On legal parcels larger than 10,000 square feet net lot area, a maximum of 50 such animals per 20,000 square feet in any combination of species may be kept, provided the total number kept does not exceed 500 animals. c. No more than one rooster may be permitted on any parcel in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts.
Full Breakdown
Highland Municipal Code § 16.44.040(E) is the chicken and livestock rule. It covers the keeping of the listed animals in any combination, and it is permitted subject to issuance of a department review permit within any residential district. Remainders of area or of animals are rounded down when the allowed number is calculated.
Poultry, rabbits and other small animals come under subsection E(3). On legal parcels less than 10,000 square feet net lot area, a maximum total of 20 adult animals, in any combination of species, can be kept. On legal parcels larger than 10,000 square feet net lot area, the ceiling is 50 such animals per 20,000 square feet in any combination of species, provided the total does not exceed 500 animals. No more than one rooster is permitted on any parcel in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts.
Goats, sheep and other small sized cleft hoof animals need a parcel of at least 10,000 square feet net area. Two adult animals can be kept for each 10,000 square feet, up to eight adult animals in any combination of species. Cattle or bovines are barred from lots under 20,000 square feet net area and are limited to one bovine per 10,000 square feet, up to two.
Horses are a permitted use under subsection D(2) without the review permit: none on any lot under 20,000 square feet net area, and one adult horse per 10,000 square feet up to a maximum of six horses or ponies. Aviaries, not including chickens, need a conditional use permit and are limited to 17 birds for each 10,000 square feet of net lot area.
Offspring of permitted animals can stay on the site until weaned without counting against the maximum: cats and dogs four months, horses 12 months, and all other equine and cleft-hoofed animals six months. HMC § 16.40.040 applies these limits to every parcel used for residential purposes, in or outside a residential district.
Violations & Fines
Keeping poultry or livestock beyond the counts, without the department review permit, or on an undersized lot violates Title 16, which is enforced by law enforcement officers, the code compliance officer, the building official and the community development director (HMC § 16.04.040). Nuisances are abated on notice to the owner, remedies are cumulative, and a conviction does not relieve the owner of correcting the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in the City of Highland?
Can I keep a rooster in a Highland neighborhood?
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens, goats or sheep?
How many goats can I keep on a residential lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Highland
How Highland compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Highland to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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