Menifee, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hens on small residential lots
- 4 on 7,200 sq ft (RM, RR1/2, LDR-1, LDR-2)
- Hens in AG/RR zones
- 12 on 20,000 sq ft; 50 on 40,000 sq ft
- Roosters/crowing fowl
- 1 max, 1-acre lot, AG/RR zones only
- Coop setbacks
- 20 ft from property lines, 50 ft from residences
- Large animals (horses, cows)
- 5 per acre in AG/RR zones, 1-acre minimum
- Night confinement
- Crowing fowl enclosed 8 p.m.-6 a.m.; 7+ fowl need acoustical housing sunset-sunrise
Summary
Menifee's Development Code allows up to 4 hens or ducks on residential lots as small as 7,200 sq ft and up to 12 (or 50 on 40,000 sq ft) in agricultural and rural residential zones, with coops at least 20 feet from property lines and 50 feet from neighboring residences. Crowing fowl such as roosters are limited to 1 on a minimum 1-acre lot in AG and RR zones only, and livestock numbers are tied to lot size.
Unless specified below, no animals or fowl, other than domestic pets, poultry and rabbits for the exclusive use of the occupant, shall be permitted on lots of less than 20,000 square feet. The keeping of animals is only allowed as an accessory use, except in the AG zone. [Section 9.235.030] ... A. Animals must be kept and maintained in an enclosed area, located not less than 20 feet from any property line and at least 50 feet from any residence existing at the time such use is established. ... C. Animals must be kept in the rear yard. [Table 9.235.030-1 footnotes] ... a. The fowl shall be kept in a solid walled acoustical enclosure with a solid roof attached to all perimeter walls of the enclosure. b. Fowl shall be confined inside the walled and roofed enclosure between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day. c. The walled and roofed enclosure shall be completely screened, except for its entry, by landscaping, including trees and shrubbery. d. Any noise escaping from the enclosure shall not interfere with a reasonable person's use and enjoyment of his or her real property. [Section 9.235.040(A)(3)]
Full Breakdown
235 (Animal Keeping) sets the standards. ) are allowed non-commercially as follows: 4 birds on a 7,200 sq ft minimum lot in the RM, RR1/2, LDR-1 and LDR-2 zones; 12 birds on 20,000 sq ft or 50 birds on 40,000 sq ft in the AG, RR5, RR2 and RR1 zones. Crowing fowl (roosters, turkeys, peacocks) are limited to 1 on a minimum 1-acre lot in AG, RR5, RR2 and RR1 zones. Medium animals (sheep, goats, pigs) are allowed at 2 per half acre in AG and RR zones, or 1 on a 7,200 sq ft lot in LDR-1/LDR-2; large animals (cows, horses, llamas) at 5 per acre on at least 1 acre in AG, RR5, RR2 and RR1, or 2 per 20,000 sq ft (maximum 4, 1-acre minimum) in RR1/2, LDR-1 and LDR-2.
Footnote A requires animals to be kept in an enclosed area at least 20 feet from any property line and 50 feet from any residence existing when the use was established; fowl must be kept in the rear yard. m. 02 (Ord. 2018-252) requires anyone keeping 7 or more fowl two months or older to house them in an acoustical structure between sunset and sunrise.
Violations & Fines
It is unlawful to keep animals exceeding the numbers set out in Development Code Chapter 9.235 except as allowed by the approval authority (Section 9.235.030(B)). Violating the fowl noise-housing rule in Municipal Code Chapter 10.02 is an infraction punishable by fines set by City Council resolution. Noisy animals are also subject to administrative abatement proceedings under Municipal Code Chapter 10.07.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in a standard Menifee subdivision?
Can I keep a horse in Menifee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Menifee
How Menifee compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Menifee to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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