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

19.60.020 PERMITTED USES. The following uses and others determined to be similar to these uses pursuant to Sections 19.08.030 through 19.08.080 of this title are permitted in an RS District: A. Breeding, raising, and keeping of poultry, birds, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, frogs, or bees for the domestic use of the resident/occupant of the lot, provided, however, there shall be no killing or dressing of such animals for commercial purposes. B. Keeping of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, or hogs owned by the resident/occupant of the lot, provided any combination of such animals on any one (1) lot shall be limited to one (1) adult animal for every one quarter (1/4) acre, provided, however, there shall be no killing or dressing of such animals for commercial purposes. One (1) adult animal may be kept on a lot with less than one quarter (1/4) acre, provided that all setback requirements are satisfied. C. Uses permitted by the base district with which the RS District is combined. 19.60.070 YARDS AND SETBACKS. Yard and setback requirements in an RS District are as follows: A. Pens, coops, stables, corrals, and other structures and enclosures housing livestock or poultry, and the animals themselves, shall be at least thirty (30) feet away from any off-site residential building or other building used for human habitation and at least one hundred (100) feet away from any public park, school, hospital, or similar institution: B. All other uses shall comply with the requirements of the base district with which the RS District is combined.