Petaluma, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Bird enclosure setback
- 25 feet from neighboring dwellings
- Livestock permit
- Required before keeping any livestock
- Permit decision window
- 30 days after complete application
- Livestock covers
- Horses, cattle, goats, sheep, mules
- Zoning check
- Community development director reviews use
- Governing code
- PMC §§ 9.08.050, 9.12.010
Summary
Petaluma lets residents keep domestic fowl like chickens if the coop sits at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling, while goats, sheep, cattle, and other livestock require a permit from the animal control officer under Chapter 9.12 before they can be kept anywhere in the city.
9.08.050 Keeping domestic birds. It is unlawful for any person to keep on any premises in the city any domestic bird as defined in Section 9.04.020, unless such birds are kept in an enclosure. No part of such enclosure shall be within twenty-five feet of any dwelling houses occupied by human beings other than the person's own dwelling; provided, however, that a domestic bird may be kept temporarily at a pet shop or other place of business for purposes of sale. ... 9.12.010 Permit for livestock required. A. It is unlawful to maintain any livestock as defined in Section 9.04.020 within city limits without first obtaining a permit therefor from the animal control officer.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
020(K) to include feathered animals like chickens, unless the birds are kept in an enclosure, and no part of that enclosure may sit within twenty-five feet of any dwelling house occupied by someone other than the bird owner. A temporary exception allows a domestic bird to be kept at a pet shop or place of business for sale. 020(R) to include, but not be limited to, horses, mules, jacks, cows, cattle, goats, or sheep that do not customarily inhabit their owners' dwellings, plus bovine, caprine, equine, ovine, and porcine animals generally. 070 need not reapply unless changing the animal type, quantity, location, or transferring the permit. 030.
Violations & Fines
Keeping domestic birds too close to a neighbor's home, or keeping livestock without a permit, is a public nuisance enforceable under Chapter 9.32: a Title 9 violation is a misdemeanor unless charged as an infraction under Section 9.32.030, each day of noncompliance is a separate offense under Section 9.32.020, and the city may also pursue civil court action and recover attorney's fees under Section 9.32.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Petaluma?
Do I need a permit to keep goats or a cow in Petaluma?
What if I already had a livestock permit before the current code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Petaluma
How Petaluma compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Petaluma to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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