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

As a heavy agricultural county, Sutter County allows broad livestock keeping in the right zones under its Zoning Code. Animal husbandry, including cattle, horses, goats, sheep, hogs, chickens, rabbits, and birds, is permitted in the Ranchette (RAN) and Estate Residential (ER) districts and on parcels where the Agriculture Combining District has been applied. Within the Agriculture Combining District, the keeping of large animals such as cattle, horses, and hogs is permitted at a density of two such animals per 10,000 square feet of lot area, and the area used to keep large animals must be located outside any portion of the lot used for sewage disposal.

The Ranchette district is noted as having no household-pet number limit, reflecting its rural character. In standard residential districts (R-1 through R-4 and ER), keeping is limited to smaller numbers of household pets and small animals rather than open livestock. All outdoor animal enclosures, including pens, coops, cages, and feed areas, must be kept free of litter, garbage, and accumulated fecal matter, and animals must be effectively contained on the property and not allowed to run free. Because density and setback details depend on a parcel's zoning and any overlay districts, owners should confirm specifics with Sutter County Development Services. Relevant provisions appear in Zoning Code Sections 1500-06-030 and 1500-8016.