San Bernardino County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hens, lot under 7,200 sq ft
- 2 hens maximum
- Roosters
- 1 acre minimum, 9 max
- Setback from neighbor's home
- 70 feet
- Interior property line setback
- 5 feet
- Governing section
- County Code Sec. 84.04.090
Summary
Unincorporated San Bernardino County lets single-family lots under 7,200 square feet keep two hens as an accessory use, more on bigger lots, but roosters need a full acre and a 70-foot setback from any neighboring home.
All animals, other than cats, dogs, canaries or birds of the psitacinae family, shall be maintained at least 70 feet, measured in a straight line, away from any structure or area used for human habitation or public assembly (e.g. parks, churches, etc.) on adjoining property. The area of human habitation shall not include cabanas, patios, attached or detached private garages or storage buildings.
(2) Distance from Property Lines and Rights-of-Way. Animals shall be maintained at least five feet away from interior side and rear property lines, and 15 feet away from side street rights-of-way, excepting an alley or bridle path, unless they comply with the Subdivision (3) (Enclosure), below.
(3) Enclosure. Animals may be maintained by a fence at least five feet high and made of either chain link, wood with horizontal members no less than six inches apart, solid masonry or other appropriate solid screening and confining materials.
(4) Distance from Water Well. Animals shall be kept at least 100 feet away from any domestic water well.
(c) Newborn Animal Exception. Offspring of animals maintained on the same property in compliance with applicable laws and regulations that are less than four months old or that have not been weaned, whichever is longer, shall not be subject to the maximum density or number limitations established by this Chapter.
(d) Parcel Area for Qualifying Number or Density of Animal Type. Parcel
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 84.04.090 and Table 84-5 set accessory animal-keeping limits for single-family lots. Hens scale with lot size: two on parcels under 7,200 square feet, three at 7,200-9,999, four at 10,000-19,999, and one per 2,000 square feet above that, capped at nine per genus. Roosters need a full one-acre minimum lot regardless of size, capped at nine total birds and two of any genus per parcel. All poultry other than canaries must sit at least 70 feet from any inhabited structure on adjoining property, five feet from interior side and rear lines, and 15 feet from side street rights-of-way unless enclosed by a five-foot fence.
Violations & Fines
Code Enforcement acts on complaints and can order excess birds removed; keeping more birds or animal types than Table 84-5 allows without a Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation subject to abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens on a small lot in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
How San Bernardino County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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