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

Alpine County is entirely unincorporated, so County zoning (Title 18) controls where poultry may be kept. The zoning definition of 'Agriculture' (Section 18.08.050) expressly includes 'animal and poultry husbandry' along with farming, pasturage and apiaries. In the AG Agriculture zone, agriculture is a permitted use and ranch fences, corrals and animal-shelter structures are allowed, but the code carves out 'turkey or chicken farms' (commercial-scale operations) as conditional uses requiring a use permit (Sections 18.16.020 and 18.16.030(C)). In the RE Residential Estate zone, 'Livestock shall be permitted' (18.32.020(C)), and in the RN Residential Neighborhood zone livestock 'shall be permitted per a minimum parcel area of one-half acre' (18.36.020(D)) - poultry kept as husbandry falls within these allowances. Separately, the Animal Control Ordinance bars letting any animal, livestock or poultry stray or run at large on public or others' private property (Section 6.04.160(A)). Owners should confirm the zoning of their specific parcel with County Community Development, since allowances and minimum parcel sizes differ by zone and by the parcel's General Plan land-use designation.