Contra Costa County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Chapter
- Contra Costa County Ord. Code Ch. 82-50 (Urban Farm Animals)
- Hens allowed
- 1 per 1,000 sq ft lot, max 20
- Roosters in residential
- Prohibited; 2 allowed only on 5+ acre ag lots
- Livestock minimum lot
- 40,000 sq ft; 2 animals per 40,000 sq ft
- Coop max height
- 12 feet
- Front-line setback (small structures)
- 50-60 ft depending on lot width
- UE exclusion overlay
- Parts of Bethel Island, Byron, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Knightsen (Ch. 84-79)
- Beehive registration
- Required with County Agricultural Commissioner
Summary
Chapter 82-50 (Urban Farm Animals) of the County Ordinance Code permits residents in unincorporated single-family and two-family residential zones to keep hens, fowl, rabbits, beehives, and livestock subject to lot-size minimums, structure-setback rules, and a 12-foot maximum height for coops; the rules do not apply in the Urban Farm Animal Exclusion (UE) zoning overlay in parts of Bethel Island, Byron, Diablo, Discovery Bay, and Knightsen.
Residents on a lot without the UE zoning overlay in any single-family residential or two-family residential district, or a single-family residential lot in a P-1 planned unit district can keep the following farm animals (County Code Sections 82-50.404, 82-50.406, 82-50.408): Female Domesticated Chicken (Hen) - 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area, up to 20 hens; ... Livestock - 2 per 40,000 sq. ft. of lot area. The UFA Ordinance sets a maximum height of 12 feet for small animal structures (e.g., chicken coops) and beehive structures.
Full Breakdown
408 of the County Ordinance Code: female domesticated hens are allowed at a rate of one per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, up to a maximum of 20 hens, on any residential lot of at least 1,000 sq ft. Fowl (hens, ducks, geese, turkeys), rabbits, and other grain-fed rodents are capped at 20 total farm animals and require a lot of at least 20,000 sq ft (though rabbits may be kept as pets on lots under 20,000 sq ft). , goats) require a 40,000 sq ft minimum lot and are limited to 2 animals per 40,000 sq ft.
Honeybees are scaled by lot size: 4 hives at 6,000 sq ft, 6 hives at 20,000 sq ft, and 8 hives at 40,000+ sq ft; an apiary must be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Small animal structures (coops, hutches) and beehive structures have a 12-foot maximum height. Setbacks vary by lot width: for lots under 80 ft wide, structures must be 50 ft from the front and 10 ft from side/rear (15 ft for beehives); for lots 80-120 ft, 50 ft front and 25 ft side/rear; for 120+ ft, 60 ft front and 40 ft side/rear.
Livestock barns and stables require 100 ft from the front and 50 ft from side/rear at any lot width. 14), with case-by-case exceptions for commercial poultry, schools, and 4H/FFA youth projects.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 82-50 are zoning code violations enforceable by the County Department of Conservation and Development - Code Enforcement. Remedies include written notice, abatement orders, administrative citations, and civil penalties; chronic violations can trigger nuisance abatement proceedings under the County Ordinance Code. The UE overlay prohibits all urban farm animals (and honeybees) in smaller residential districts (R-6 through R-15, D-1, and single-family P-1 lots) in the listed east-county communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens on my unincorporated Contra Costa property?
Are roosters allowed?
Can I keep goats or other livestock?
Does this apply in Bethel Island or Discovery Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
How Contra Costa County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County 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.