Perris, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Perris's rules for backyard fowl are stricter than many people assume because the city's residential lots must meet a large minimum size. Under Section 8.01.090(a), keeping any fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons or peacocks is unlawful unless the lot is at least 20,000 square feet (roughly half an acre), the animals are kept at least 150 feet from any occupied residence on adjacent property, and there are no more than a collective total of five small animals or fowl (this five-animal cap excludes roosters but includes chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks, turtles and rabbits combined). Section 8.01.290 adds that no animal other than ordinary domestic pets may be kept within 100 feet of any other residence unless the zoning code expressly allows it. A 'coop' is defined in Section 8.01.010 to require at least three square feet per animal, clean water, and separation of animal waste. There is no city permit required for hens within these limits, but the keeper must comply with the sanitary-condition rules in Section 8.03.060, which require manure and refuse to be removed at least once each calendar week. Roosters are treated separately and far more restrictively (see Perris Roosters and Crowing Birds). Because typical small Perris residential lots are under 20,000 square feet, many homes cannot lawfully keep any backyard hens.