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

Tulare County's Zoning Ordinance (Part VII of the Ordinance Code) establishes agricultural zones AE (Exclusive Agricultural) and AF (Foothill Agricultural) where commercial dairies, feedlots, poultry ranches, and confined animal facilities are permitted by right or with a special use permit. The Rural Residential (R-A) and Single-Family Residential (R-1) zones allow non-commercial keeping of chickens, rabbits, and similar small animals, with the Zoning Ordinance specifying minimum lot sizes and setback distances of coops and pens from neighboring dwellings (typically 25-50 feet depending on zone). Roosters are generally allowed in agricultural zones and on larger R-A parcels but may be restricted as Animal Nuisances under Part 4 Chapter 7 if the crowing constitutes chronic noise of more than 15 minutes duration. California Civil Code section 3482.5 (Right to Farm Act), reinforced by Tulare County's local Right-to-Farm ordinance, prevents agricultural operations that have been in continuous existence for three years from being deemed a nuisance due to changed conditions in the surrounding area. Contact: Tulare County Resource Management Agency, Planning Division (559) 624-7000.