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Pinal County, AZ Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

CR-1 zone
Unlimited poultry, rabbits and small animals
CR-1 zone
Max 2 large animals per commercial acre
CR-1 zone
Swine banned outright
CR-2 zone
1 full acre required for any large animal
GR zone
Max 3 hogs per parcel within 500 ft of residential
Animal-building setback
50 ft in CR-2, vs. 4 ft standard
Civil penalty
Up to $750 individual / $10,000 enterprise, per day

Summary

In the CR-1 Single Residence zone, Pinal County allows any number of poultry, rabbits and similar small animals outright, but caps cattle, horses, sheep and goats over six months old at two head per commercial acre and bans swine entirely. The adjoining CR-2 zone tightens that further, requiring a full commercial acre before any horse, cattle, sheep or goat can be kept at all.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Pinal County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Agriculture or horticulture used only for the purposes of propagation and culture and not for retail sales, including any number of poultry, rabbits and similar small animals, and not more than two head of cattle, horses, sheep or goats more than six months of age per commercial acre. Swine are not permitted in the district.

View official code

Full Breakdown

010 but adds a floor: 'any use permitted in the CR-1 zone but horses, cattle, sheep or goats shall not be kept on less than one commercial acre,' meaning a CR-2 lot under an acre cannot keep any of those large animals at all, though poultry and rabbits remain unrestricted. 010(B)(3)). 030(E)). A structure that only shades livestock and has no walls is exempt from that setback under the same section.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the CR-1 or CR-2 animal limits, keeping swine in CR-1, or building an animal enclosure closer than the required setback is a zoning violation. Pinal County Code § 2.160.130 makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 11-808, and § 2.160.140 sets a civil penalty of up to $750.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for an enterprise, with each day of the violation counted separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many chickens can I keep in unincorporated Pinal County?
In the CR-1 Single Residence zone, § 2.60.010(E) permits 'any number of poultry, rabbits and similar small animals' with no numeric cap, as long as the birds are kept for the owner's own propagation and not for retail sale. The same unlimited allowance carries into the CR-2 zone under § 2.65.010.
Can I keep a cow, horse, sheep or goat on a CR-1 lot?
Yes, up to two head over six months old per commercial acre under § 2.60.010(E). On a CR-2 lot the rule is stricter: § 2.65.010 requires the full commercial acre before any horse, cattle, sheep or goat may be kept at all, and swine are barred outright in the CR-1 zone.
How far must a chicken coop sit from my property line?
In the CR-2 zone, a detached accessory building housing poultry or animals must be at least 50 feet from the side and rear lot lines under § 2.65.030(E), compared with the standard four-foot setback for a building not used for animals. A roofed, wall-less livestock shade structure is exempt from that setback.
Does the county limit hogs anywhere in unincorporated Pinal County?
In the GR General Rural zone, § 2.40.010(B)(3) caps hogs at three per parcel under one ownership if the parcel lies within 500 feet of a residential zone or a more restrictive zone; the CR-1 zone bars swine outright.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pinal County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSignificant RestrictionsBeekeepingLight RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions

All Pinal County rules

How Pinal County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Pinal County to another location·View the Arizona animal ordinances overview

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