Livermore, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Animal fancier permit before keeping any fowl/livestock
- 4-H/FFA exception
- Blanket permit via adult program supervisor
- Fowl/rabbit sale rule
- 30-day free return required, 1-inch notice
- Livestock duty
- No running at large, no staking in public places
- Enforcement
- Animal control officer has peace-officer powers
Summary
Livermore Municipal Code § 6.04.020 makes it unlawful to keep any fowl or livestock, including backyard chickens, without first obtaining an animal fancier permit from the city. FFA and 4-H programs can get a blanket permit through an adult supervisor. Owners must also keep animals from running loose and provide sanitary shelter, food and water daily.
§ 6.04.020. Fowl and livestock – Permit required. A. It is unlawful for any person to keep any fowl or livestock without first obtaining an animal fancier permit. B. Upon application, a blanket permit may be issued to a bona fide animal husbandry program sponsored by the Future Farmers of America or 4-H clubs. The application shall be made by and the permit issued only to an adult supervisor in charge of the program. ... § 6.04.040. Livestock. No owner of any livestock shall: A. Permit such animal to run at large in the City; B. Cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any public place; C. Fail to provide the necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or protection from the weather or otherwise.
Full Breakdown
010. The only carve-out is a blanket permit for a bona fide 4-H or Future Farmers of America animal husbandry program, issued only to the adult supervisor running it, not to individual student members. 030 separately declares it a nuisance for fowl or rabbits to run or fly loose onto a neighbor's property, and bans giving away baby chicks, ducklings or rabbits as a novelty or contest prize; anyone selling a baby rabbit or fowl as a pet must let the buyer return it free of charge within 30 days and post a sign at least one inch tall saying so.
040 layers on livestock-specific duties: owners may not let livestock run at large, may not stake, herd or pasture it in any public place, and must supply adequate food, water, shelter and weather protection. 050 extends the same care standard citywide, requiring every stable, coop, pen or cage to be kept clean and sanitary and every animal fed daily with wholesome, uncontaminated food. Because Livermore's development code was not part of this review, this page does not address which zoning districts allow chicken coops or how many birds a given lot may hold; that dimensional detail sits in the separate zoning ordinance, not Title 6.
Violations & Fines
Keeping fowl or livestock without an animal fancier permit is unlawful under LMC § 6.04.020(A). Letting fowl or rabbits run loose, dumping baby chicks as prizes, or failing to feed and shelter livestock are each declared separate nuisances under §§ 6.04.030 and 6.04.040. The animal control officer, who carries peace-officer authority under LMC § 6.08.010, can inspect premises and enforce Title 6 violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep backyard chickens in Livermore?
Can a pet store give away baby chicks as a prize?
What happens if my goat or horse gets loose in Livermore?
Does this ordinance say how many chickens I can keep or where on my lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Livermore
How Livermore compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Livermore to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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