Kern County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning Authority
- Kern County Code § 19.60.020 (RS) and Chapter 19.12 (A)
- Min. Setback from Off-Site Residence
- 30 feet
- Min. Setback from School/Park/Hospital
- 100 feet
- Commercial Slaughter in RS
- Prohibited
- Livestock Defined
- Cattle, sheep, swine, goat, horse, mule, equines (§ 19.04.378)
Summary
In unincorporated Kern County, poultry and livestock keeping is tied to zoning: § 19.60.020 permits it in the Residential Suburban (RS) district and Chapter 19.12 in agricultural zones, with coops set back 30 feet from off-site residences and 100 feet from schools, parks and hospitals.
19.60.020 PERMITTED USES. The following uses and others determined to be similar to these uses pursuant to Sections 19.08.030 through 19.08.080 of this title are permitted in an RS District: A. Breeding, raising, and keeping of poultry, birds, rabbits, chinchillas, fish, frogs, or bees for the domestic use of the resident/occupant of the lot, provided, however, there shall be no killing or dressing of such animals for commercial purposes. B. Keeping of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, or hogs owned by the resident/occupant of the lot, provided any combination of such animals on any one (1) lot shall be limited to one (1) adult animal for every one quarter (1/4) acre, provided, however, there shall be no killing or dressing of such animals for commercial purposes. One (1) adult animal may be kept on a lot with less than one quarter (1/4) acre, provided that all setback requirements are satisfied. C. Uses permitted by the base district with which the RS District is combined. 19.60.070 YARDS AND SETBACKS. Yard and setback requirements in an RS District are as follows: A. Pens, coops, stables, corrals, and other structures and enclosures housing livestock or poultry, and the animals themselves, shall be at least thirty (30) feet away from any off-site residential building or other building used for human habitation and at least one hundred (100) feet away from any public park, school, hospital, or similar institution: B. All other uses shall comply with the requirements of the base district with which the RS District is combined.
Full Breakdown
Kern County controls animal keeping through district rules rather than a flat headcount. The Residential Suburban (RS) combining district permits poultry and livestock under § 19.60.020, and agricultural (A) zones under Chapter 19.12, but a standard R-1 lot without the RS overlay does not get poultry-keeping as a matter of right. Coops and enclosures must sit at least 30 feet from any off-site residence and 100 feet from schools, parks and hospitals, and commercial slaughter is prohibited in RS. There is no numeric cap on flock size; the setbacks and nuisance rules, including § 7.08.380 for noisy roosters, do the limiting in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in a standard R-1 residential lot in unincorporated Kern County?
Are roosters allowed?
How many chickens can I keep?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
How Kern County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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