Oakland, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Livestock cap
- 3 animals per premises without a use permit
- Governing section
- Oakland Municipal Code § 6.04.310(D)
- Livestock defined
- Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, equines, llamas, alpacas
- Excludes
- Household pets and fowl (separately regulated)
- Enforcement
- Oakland Police Dept. and Animal Control Officers
- Redemption window
- 7 days before adoption or euthanasia
- Permit path
- Conditional use permit needed beyond 3 animals
Summary
Oakland caps residential livestock at three animals per property. Keep more than three cattle, sheep, swine, goats, equines, llamas or alpacas on one premises without a conditional use permit and Oakland Municipal Code Section 6.04.310(D) makes it a public nuisance, subject to citation, summary abatement and impoundment by Oakland Animal Services or the Oakland Police Department.
D. The keeping of more than three (3) livestock, as defined by this Title, on any one (1) premises without a conditional use permit where so required is a public nuisance. The keeping of more livestock than permitted by the terms of an authorized conditional use permit is also a public nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Planning Code: Supplement 59).
Full Breakdown
310, titled 'Keeping of certain animals as constituting public nuisance,' declares in Subsection D that 'the keeping of more than three (3) livestock, as defined by this Title, on any one (1) premises without a conditional use permit where so required is a public nuisance. 320, not this livestock cap. A resident who wants to keep a fourth or greater number of livestock animals on one property must obtain a conditional use permit through the Oakland Planning Code before adding animals beyond the three-animal threshold; keeping extra livestock while an application is pending, or exceeding a permit's own approved head count once granted, is treated the same way, as a public nuisance.
Subsection E directs enforcement staff to use citations 'in preference to the summary abatement procedure' whenever citation is practicable. Subsection F allows the City to enter the property, other than a residence or closed garage, and abate the nuisance directly, including impounding the animals, when the nuisance is ongoing and no owner is present to address it; notice of any impoundment is posted on the premises and mailed to the property owner of record with Alameda County. 220 or, if unclaimed after seven days, adopted out or humanely euthanized.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the three-livestock limit without a conditional use permit is a public nuisance under Section 6.04.310(D), enforceable by Oakland Police Department officers, the Senior Animal Control Officer and Animal Control Officers under California Penal Code Section 836.5. Officers cite violators when practicable; if the nuisance continues and no owner is present, the City may enter the property and summarily abate it, impounding animals not redeemed under Section 6.04.220 within seven days for adoption or euthanasia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many livestock animals can I keep in Oakland without a permit?
Are backyard chickens counted as livestock under this rule?
What happens if I keep more livestock than my permit allows?
Who enforces Oakland's livestock nuisance rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oakland
How Oakland compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Oakland to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle chickens & livestock.