Monterey, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Monterey County Code Title 8, Chapter 8.50 ('Rooster Keeping Operations') was added by Ordinance No. 5249 in 2015 to balance agricultural interests with the prevention of conditions conducive to illegal cockfighting. A 'rooster keeping operation' is defined as five or more roosters kept or maintained on any single property within unincorporated Monterey County. Applicants apply to the Animal Control Officer under § 8.50.040(A), and the application must include a plan describing the method and frequency of manure and other solid waste removal (§ 8.50.040(C)(3)-(4)). Permitted operations must maintain structurally sound pens that protect roosters from cold and that are properly cleaned and ventilated (§§ 8.50.080(B), 8.50.090(C)(1)). A permit may not be issued to any person with a criminal conviction for illegal cockfighting or other animal-cruelty crime (§ 8.50.060(F)(1)). Four exemption categories are recognized in §§ 8.04.010 and 8.50.110: (1) commercial 'poultry operations' (more than 200 adult female chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, pheasants, peafowl, guinea fowl, or other fowl raised primarily for eggs or meat for sale), (2) poultry hobbyists in organized breeding/exhibition clubs, (3) minors keeping roosters for educational purposes through California Department of Education-registered schools, and (4) minors in FFA or 4-H youth-development programs. 'Livestock' under MCC § 8.04.010 covers horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, fallow deer, llamas, sheep, goats, hogs, and domesticated birds not traditionally considered pets - regulated principally through the county zoning code (Title 21) by zoning district.