Newport Beach, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Livestock ban
- Cow, pig, goat, horse, mule, poultry, etc.
- Zoning exception
- Only where Title 20 specifically permits
- Pot-bellied pig exception
- Under 125 lbs, sterilized, permitted
- Wild fowl/pigeons
- Require Wild Animal Permit in residential zones
- Violation class
- Infraction
Summary
Newport Beach bans keeping cows, pigs, goats, horses, mules, poultry, or any other animal commonly considered livestock anywhere in the city unless the zoning code specifically allows it. That flat ban covers backyard chickens too, since poultry is named directly in the ordinance.
No person shall keep any cow, pig, goat, horse, mule, poultry or any other animal commonly considered livestock within the City except where specifically permitted under the provisions of Title 20, Planning and Zoning, of this Code.
Full Breakdown
12 (Livestock), states that no person shall keep any cow, pig, goat, horse, mule, poultry or any other animal commonly considered livestock within the city except where specifically permitted under Title 20, Planning and Zoning. That means backyard chickens fall under the same default prohibition as cattle or goats unless a property's zoning district expressly allows poultry keeping. The chapter carves out one narrow exception, not for chickens but for miniature pot-bellied pigs: under 125 pounds, registered with a nationally recognized association, spayed or neutered, and covered by a Wild Animal Permit are not treated as livestock at all. 020 requires the same permit for homing or racing pigeons. 030 specifically, both punishable under the Orange County Municipal Courts' infraction bail schedule.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock, including poultry, outside a zoning district that allows it is enforced by the city's Code Enforcement and Animal Control staff and is prosecuted as an infraction, with penalties set by the Orange County Municipal Courts' adopted infraction bail schedule referenced in Title 7. Keeping wild fowl, game birds, or pigeons without the required Wild Animal Permit is a separate infraction under Section 7.15.030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Newport Beach?
Are there any exceptions to Newport Beach's livestock ban?
Do I need a permit for pet pigeons or aviary birds in Newport Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport Beach
How Newport Beach compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Newport Beach to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle chickens & livestock.