Sandoval County, NM Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Sandoval County's urban single-family zoning allows backyard livestock only in the largest-lot R1-35 district, the one-acre estate zone created to preserve 'large animal (horse) privileges' as a transition between agricultural land and urban development. 1)(B)(12) permits keeping livestock there at a ratio of one animal per 21,780 square feet of lot area, which is roughly half of the district's 35,500-square-foot minimum lot size, so a typical R1-35 lot supports one to two head. The county's definitions section broadly defines 'livestock' to mean horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and/or fowl or any other animals used for agricultural purposes, so backyard chickens and other poultry fall within the same ratio rule as horses or goats.

Corrals and stables housing that livestock cannot sit within 60 feet of any lot line, and the ordinance further confines them to the rear yard, keeping animal enclosures away from front and side setbacks and neighboring homes. 1)(B), so keeping livestock or backyard poultry on those smaller urban lots is not a permitted use under this chapter.