Riverside, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- RE/R-1 zones
- max 5 poultry, no roosters
- Coop setback (RE/R-1)
- 10 ft from neighbor's residence
- RR/RA-5/RC (50-ft setback)
- up to 5 poultry, 18 rabbits
- RR/RA-5/RC (100-ft setback)
- up to 50 poultry, 45 rabbits
- Roosters
- up to 7, RR zone only, lots >20,000 sf
- Extra birds
- require Minor Conditional Use Permit
Summary
Riverside's Municipal Code caps non-commercial poultry keeping at five birds in RE and R-1 single-family zones, with a coop set back at least ten feet from any neighboring residence and an outright ban on crowing fowl. Rural RR, RA-5 and RC zones allow far larger flocks, plus rabbits and even roosters, once housing sits 50 to 100 feet from neighbors.
The non-commercial keeping of poultry is permitted subject to the following:a.Not more than five poultry shall be permitted at any time.b.A coop, shelter or other permanent structure shall be provided a minimum of ten feet from any neighboring residence in addition to the minimum standards provided in Chapter 19.440 (Accessory Buildings and Structures).c.The keeping of crowing fowl as defined in Section 19.910.040 ("C" Definitions) is not permitted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
030 fixes the actual bird counts by zone. 440. 040, cannot be kept at all in RE or R-1. Rural-zoned lots get more room. In the RR, RA-5 and RC zones, up to five poultry (including crowing fowl, but not crowing roosters) and 18 rabbits are allowed once housing sits at least 50 feet from any residence on an adjoining lot. Push that setback to 100 feet and the cap jumps to 50 poultry and 45 rabbits. The RR zone additionally allows up to seven crowing roosters on lots larger than 20,000 square feet, but only if they are housed from sunset to sunrise in an acoustical structure at least 100 feet from any neighboring residence, and any crowing fowl already on a property when it is annexed into the City must be phased out within a two-year amortization period.
Larger noncommercial or commercial flocks beyond these caps require a discretionary Minor Conditional Use Permit reviewed by the Community & Economic Development Department. 040 requires the keeping premises to stay clean, neat and sanitary at all times, cross-referencing Title 6 (Health & Sanitation) and Title 8 (Animals) for manure and nuisance standards.
Violations & Fines
Riverside's Code Enforcement Division, under the Community & Economic Development Department, investigates poultry complaints and can issue a correction notice or citation for exceeding the bird cap, keeping banned crowing fowl in RE/R-1, or violating the ten-foot coop setback. Unsanitary premises additionally violate Section 19.455.040 and Title 8 nuisance standards. Unpermitted crowing fowl kept on annexed property must be removed within the two-year amortization window or the keeping itself becomes the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in a Riverside R-1 zone?
Can I keep a rooster in Riverside?
How many chickens are allowed on a rural RA-5 or RC lot?
What happens if my coop doesn't meet the setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
How Riverside compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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