Keeping chickens in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by zoning. The County's low-density residential rules allow animal husbandry and small livestock farming on suitably zoned land. Roosters are tightly regulated: a Rooster Keeping Operation Permit is required when 5 or more roosters are kept on a single property under the County's rooster ordinance.
There is no Monterey County Code section that bans backyard hens outright; chicken-keeping is regulated through the zoning ordinance (MCC Title 21) by zoning district. In low-density residential districts, MCC 21.14.030 permits keeping of pets, intermittent 4-H animal projects, and animal husbandry and small livestock farming, while accessory barns and farm buildings are permitted with setbacks (MCC 21.14.060(C)(4) requires such structures be at least 50 feet from the front and 20 feet from side or rear property lines). Roosters are the key restriction. The County's Rooster Ordinance (adopted by the Board in December 2014, effective 2015) defines a Rooster Keeping Operation as one where 5 or more roosters are kept on any single property in the unincorporated county, and no such operation may legally operate without a permit or a permit exemption. A Rooster Operation Permit costs $315 and is valid for one year; the application must include a plan for manure and solid-waste removal, and a permit cannot be issued to anyone with a conviction for cockfighting or animal cruelty. Exemptions (valid 5 years) exist for commercial poultry operations, recognized poultry-breeding hobbyists, and minors keeping roosters for school, FFA, or 4-H projects. Keeping fewer than 5 roosters is not affected by the ordinance. Always confirm the zoning of a specific parcel before keeping poultry.
Operating a Rooster Keeping Operation (5+ roosters) without a permit or exemption violates the County's rooster ordinance and can lead to enforcement. Keeping poultry in violation of the parcel's zoning, or building a coop/barn inside required setbacks (MCC 21.14.060), can trigger code enforcement action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Monterey, CA
The City of Monterey regulates noise through its municipal code, prohibiting loud and disturbing noise with stricter nighttime limits (generally 10 p.m.–7 a....
Monterey, CA
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Monterey, CA
Construction noise in the City of Monterey is limited to daytime hours under the noise ordinance — typically 7 a.m.–7 p.m. weekdays with reduced weekend hour...
Monterey, CA
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Monterey, CA
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Monterey, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Monterey County.
See how Monterey's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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