San Marcos, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hen limit, R-1-7.5/R-1-10
- 4 birds per lot
- Hen limit, R-1-20/A zones
- 25 birds per lot
- Roosters
- Prohibited in all zones
- Enclosure setback to dwelling
- 20 feet minimum
- Front property line setback
- 75 feet or half lot width
Summary
San Marcos caps backyard chickens at four hens per lot in the R-1-7.5 and R-1-10 single-family zones, rising to twenty-five in the larger R-1-20 and Agricultural zones. Roosters are banned outright citywide, and every hen enclosure must stay clean, sanitary, and free of offensive odors.
2.Domestic Poultry. Domestic poultry are permitted in the Residential Zones. No more than four (4) are allowed per lot in single-family Zones (R 1-7.5 and R-1-10). Roosters are prohibited. All hen enclosures shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary condition, free from offensive odors at all times.3.Similar Animals. Keeping of other animals determined by the Director to be similar in size and manner of keeping to a permitted animal in Table 20.415-2 shall require a DP and will be regulated in the same manner and number as the "similar" permitted animal. Table 20.415-3 Animal Keeping Activity Standards
Animal Type Standard/Limitation Additional Activity Requirement Cats/Dogs Maximum of 6 domestic animals Kennels not permitted Racing/Homing Pigeons Maximum 125 pigeons, in A Zones keeping of pigeons in excess of 50 birds shall required filing with the City regarding affiliation with a recognized racing/homing pigeon association Small Animals A Zones/R-1-20 Zone: 25 animals Other R-1 Zones: 10 animals Maximum number of animals of any single type or combination of animals Poultry, Domestic Maximum 4 in R-1 Zones; 25 in R-1-20 and A Zones Roosters are prohibited Large Animals (based on lot size) Lots 1.5 up to 2 Acres 2 large animals per lot Lots 2 up to 4 Acres 4 large animals per lot Lots 4 Acres and over 8 large animals per lot, plus 1 additional large animal per 1 acre in excess of 4 acre in A-2 and A-3 Zones only Stable, Private (based on lot size)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
5, R-1-10, and R-1-20 residential zones and in the A-1/A-2/A-3 agricultural zones, but it is not allowed at all in the R-2, R-3, or MU zones. 5 and R-1-10 zones, jumping to twenty-five birds in the R-1-20 and Agricultural zones. 415-4, which treats a poultry coop as an "animal keeping enclosure": it must sit at least 20 feet from any dwelling unit, 75 feet from the front property line (or half the lot width, whichever is less, along the public right-of-way), 15 feet from interior side lines, and 10 feet from the rear line, with no setback required from a rear alley. 3. 500 (Permits and Application Process).
Violations & Fines
Keeping poultry beyond the zone's numeric cap, keeping a rooster in any zone, or letting an enclosure become unsanitary or odorous violates Section 20.415.020.D.2 and is enforceable as a zoning code violation, which can bring a correction notice, an administrative citation, or referral for abatement of the nonconforming animal-keeping use if the property owner does not bring the flock or coop into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in San Marcos?
Are roosters legal in San Marcos?
How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
How San Marcos compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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