Moorpark, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Chickens/ducks/game hens
- 1 per 2,000 sq ft
- Min lot (chickens)
- 6,000 sq ft
- Roosters/guinea fowl
- 1 per 5,000 sq ft
- Min lot (roosters)
- 20,000 sq ft
- Peacocks/pea hens
- Not permitted
Summary
Moorpark allows backyard chickens, ducks and game hens on lots of 6,000+ square feet at one bird per 2,000 square feet; roosters need a 20,000 square-foot lot and are barred from R-1 through R-3, and peacocks are prohibited entirely.
5. Fowl (peacocks and pea hens are not permitted) a. Chickens, duck, and game hens 6,000 sq. ft. 1 per 2,000 sq. ft. O-S, A-E, R-A, R-E, R-L, R-1, R-2, R-3 b. Roosters and guinea fowl 20,000 sq. ft. 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. O-S, A-E, R-A, R-E
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978490; v10 updated 2026-07-01).
Full Breakdown
Moorpark's Table 17.28.030 lets residents keep chickens, ducks, and game hens at one bird per 2,000 square feet on lots of at least 6,000 square feet, across the O-S, A-E, R-A, R-E, R-L, R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones. Roosters and guinea fowl need a 20,000 square-foot lot and are capped at one per 5,000 square feet, and only in O-S, A-E, R-A or R-E: never in R-1, R-2, or R-3. Peacocks and pea hens are barred outright citywide. All fowl keeping must also meet the code's general containment, sanitation and setback rules for animal enclosures.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the per-lot bird limits, keeping roosters in a banned zone, or keeping peacocks anywhere in Moorpark is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement citation and required removal of the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in Moorpark's R-1 zone?
Are roosters allowed in a standard Moorpark neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Moorpark
How Moorpark compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Moorpark to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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