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

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.