Rancho Cordova, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max hens per lot
- 6
- Roosters
- prohibited
- Eligible zones
- RD-3 through RD-7, with permit
- Coop setback
- 5 ft from property line, 20 ft from neighbor's home
- Permit term
- 5 years, renewable
Summary
Rancho Cordova allows up to six hens, no roosters, on residential lots zoned RD-3 through RD-7, but only under a permit with strict coop placement, feed-storage, and confinement standards enforced by animal services and the planning director.
It shall be unlawful to keep, possess, or maintain poultry or fowl on any parcel of property located in the city except in accordance with the following regulations: 1. A maximum of six hens may be kept within the backyard or rear yard of a developed residential lot within the RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, or RD-7 land use categories with a permit issued pursuant to RCMC § 8.11.050. 2. No roosters shall be allowed. 3. Hens shall not be kept for commercial purposes. 4. No slaughter of hens or roosters is allowed... 7. ... The coop must be located within the rear or side yard of the property, at least five feet from rear or side yard property lines and at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4660102; v2 updated 2026-03-02; through 03-02-2026).
Full Breakdown
040 makes it unlawful to keep poultry or fowl anywhere in the city except under these rules. A permitted lot in the RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, or RD-7 land use categories may keep a maximum of six hens in the backyard or rear yard; no roosters are allowed under any circumstance, hens cannot be kept for commercial purposes, and slaughter of hens or roosters on-site is prohibited outright. Bulk feed must be stored in fully enclosed, rodent-proof containers. Hens must be confined to a coop from sunset to sunrise, though they may roam a fully fenced rear or side yard during daylight.
The coop itself must sit at least five feet from rear or side property lines and at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel, must not block a required exit, and must be ventilated, roofed, predator-resistant, uncrowded, shaded, and kept clean of feces and odor buildup. 150. 11 does not apply at all to parcels zoned for agriculture, commercial, or industrial use, or to RR, RD-1, or RD-2 parcels, where poultry keeping is separately permitted. 050, requires disclosing hen count, coop dimensions and location, distance to the nearest dwelling, and the fencing plan, and it runs for a renewable five-year term after payment of a nonrefundable fee set by council resolution.
Violations & Fines
RCMC § 8.11.060 makes any violation a public nuisance subject to the penalties and enforcement in Chapter 16.18. The animal services manager may revoke the keeping permit for a violation, and issuance of any future permit may be denied following a revocation. Enforcement personnel, including the animal services manager, planning director, and their designees, may enter and inspect premises at reasonable times to check compliance, and the remedies under this chapter are cumulative and nonexclusive with any other remedy available at law or in equity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Rancho Cordova?
Do I need a permit to keep backyard hens?
How far must a hen coop be from my neighbor's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cordova
How Rancho Cordova compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cordova to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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