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

Chapter 9.08 of the Placentia Municipal Code, titled Domestic Animals, controls farm animals with number and distance limits rather than zone-by-zone permits. Section 9.08.010 covers two groups. The first is chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese, rabbits and other similar fowls or animals: no more than 10 can be kept at any occupied lot or premises, and none can be kept within 100 feet of the dwelling house of another. The second is horses, mules, donkeys, goats, cows and similar animals: no more than two can be kept at any lot or premises, and they must stay at least 150 feet from the dwelling house of another.

Offspring start counting as they grow. The young of the listed animals, except rabbits, count as animals at six months, and the young of the listed fowls and rabbits count as fowls and rabbits at nine weeks. Section 9.08.020 adds that no crowing rooster can be kept on any premises in the City of Placentia after it becomes nine weeks of age.

Three more sections complete the chapter. Section 9.08.030 makes it unlawful to let these animals run at large on public property or to tether, keep or maintain them on any vacant lot or premises. Section 9.08.050 requires the premises to be kept clean and sanitary so that no offensive odors emit, with refuse picked up every 48 hours, kept in flytight containers, and moved off the premises at least once every 30 days. Section 9.08.040 exempts persons who were engaged in the business of raising and selling chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks, geese or rabbits or eggs before the ordinance was adopted and who filed an affidavit with the city clerk within 30 days. The chapter prints no permit and no fee. Chapter 9.04 separately adopts the Orange County animal control ordinance by reference.