Lancaster, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Poultry in R/MDR/HDR zones
- Zero allowed; not a permitted use
- Poultry in SRR/RR zones
- Up to 3 birds, 8 animals total
- Roosters
- 1 per acre, Rural Residential zones only
- Pigs
- 1 per acre; 150 ft from highways
- Large animals (horses, cows)
- Up to 8 per Rural Residential lot
- Governing section
- Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
Summary
Lancaster's zoning code bars backyard poultry, including chickens, from the R, MDR and HDR residential zones, where the animal-keeping table caps 'Other Small Animal (Including Poultry)' at zero per parcel. Poultry and other small livestock are allowed only in SRR and RR zones, capped at 3 birds within an 8-animal total. Roosters require a full acre and Rural Residential zoning under Municipal Code Sec. 17.08.180.
B.Keeping of Large Animals in Residential zones.1.Applicability. The keeping of large animals, such as horses, cows, and similar animals are permitted in Rural Residential zones and the number of animals shall not exceed a total of 8 animals per lot, unless otherwise indicated.2.Pigs are permitted as follows:a.Pigs shall be permitted on Rural Residential zones with lots or parcels of land greater than one acre in area, at a ratio of one pig per acre.b.They shall not be located not less than 150 feet from any highway and not less than 50 feet from the side or rear lot lines of any lot or parcel.3.Roosters shall be permitted on Rural Residential zones with lots or parcels of land greater than one acre in area, at a ratio of one rooster per acre.C.Keeping of Small Animals.1.The keeping of small animals, such as sheeps, goats, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, aquatic animals, birds and similar animals are permitted as indicated on the table below.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 10 - 2025).
Full Breakdown
180 of the zoning code divides animal keeping into large animals, small animals and wild animals, and treats poultry as an 'Other Small Animal' subject to a zone-by-zone table. In the R (urban residential), MDR and HDR zones, the table caps 'Other Small Animal (Including Poultry)' at zero, so chicken coops and other backyard fowl are not permitted on standard city lots. In the SRR (semi-rural) and RR (rural residential) zones, up to 3 poultry or other small animals are allowed, folded into an overall cap of 8 total animals per parcel, alongside up to 3 dogs, 3 cats and 3 aquatic animals, birds, rabbits, reptiles or rodents.
5 zones. Horses, cows and similar large animals cap out at 8 per lot. Pigs are capped at one per acre, must sit at least 150 feet from any highway and 50 feet from side or rear lot lines, and may be fed only table refuse from meals eaten on the same lot or grain, never market refuse. Roosters follow the same one-per-acre ratio and are limited to Rural Residential lots larger than one acre, effectively excluding them from smaller parcels citywide. 180(G) requires enclosures to be kept free of litter, garbage and accumulated excrement, with waste disposed of regularly to control flies and odor.
Structures for small-animal keeping must sit at least 50 feet from any street or habitable building, on top of Los Angeles County Health Department requirements. Members of the Future Farmers of America, 4-H and similar livestock organizations may request additional animals at the planning director's discretion.
Violations & Fines
Animal-keeping violations are prosecuted under the general penalty in Municipal Code Sec. 1.12.020: a first infraction draws a fine up to $100, a second within a year up to $200, and a third or later up to $500. Because keeping animals beyond the table's limits is treated as a misdemeanor unless charged as an infraction, a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and six months in Los Angeles County Jail applies, and each day the excess animals remain is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Lancaster's R-7,000 or R-10,000 zone?
How many chickens can I keep on a Rural Residential lot?
Are roosters allowed in Lancaster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lancaster
How Lancaster compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Lancaster to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle chickens & livestock.