San Diego County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing table
- Zoning Ord. § 3100 Animal Schedule
- Enclosure setback (most restrictive)
- 10 ft side/rear lot lines
- Grazing pasture exemption
- 1+ acre, no interior fencing
- Over-density permit
- Administrative or Major Use Permit
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County caps livestock and farm-animal numbers by zone through the Zoning Ordinance's Animal Schedule, and every animal enclosure must meet a minimum setback from lot lines regardless of the zone's standard building setback.
Notwithstanding the provisions of an applicable setback designator, enclosures containing the animal use types listed in Section 3100 shall have the minimum setbacks specified in the Animal Enclosure Setback Table. Animals subject to the Animal Setback Table must be confined within an appropriate enclosure. A pasture containing a minimum of 1 acre for use as a riding area or grazing area, having no interior fencing and not used as an animal enclosure for the permanent keeping of an animal is exempt from the animal enclosure setback requirements.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The Animal Schedule (Zoning Ordinance § 3100) assigns each parcel an animal designator letter that sets how many horses, poultry, goats, cattle and other livestock may be kept and whether a Zoning Verification, Administrative Permit or Major Use Permit is needed above the by-right count. Regardless of designator, animal enclosures must meet the Animal Enclosure Setback Table (§ 3112): up to 10 feet from interior side and rear lot lines at the most restrictive tier. A pasture of at least 1 acre used only for grazing, with no interior fencing, is exempt from the enclosure setback. Youth 4-H/FFA animal raising projects exceeding the zone's density need an Administrative Permit under § 3115.
Violations & Fines
Planning & Development Services code enforcement handles complaints; violating the Animal Schedule or enclosure setbacks is a public nuisance and, under Zoning Ordinance § 7703, a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail) or infraction ($100-$500 tiered fines), charged per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens or goats on my unincorporated San Diego County lot?
How close to my property line can a horse corral be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
How San Diego County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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