San Jose, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

San Jose Municipal Code Section 7.60.700 makes it unlawful to maintain livestock, or more than six small animals, without a permit from the city's animal care administrator. "Small animals" is defined at Section 7.10.205 to mean rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds, or other fowl. Permits run two years and require a premises inspection before issuance. Distance rules under Section 7.60.815 cap how many small animals you can keep close to a neighboring dwelling: none within 20 feet, up to six between 20 and 40 feet, up to ten between 40 and 50 feet, and up to twenty beyond 50 feet. Section 7.60.820 bans keeping any rooster over four months of age anywhere in the city, permit or not. Livestock has its own setback under Section 7.60.800: it cannot be kept within 200 feet of another dwelling, or within 35 feet of the keeper's own dwelling.