Santa Cruz, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

SCMC 24.12.630 (Family farm animals) limits keeping to lots of at least 20,000 square feet, allowing 'two large family farm animals and ten small family farm animals.' Such animals 'shall under no circumstances be permitted to run at large, but shall be confined at all times within a suitable enclosure,' the enclosure must be kept clean and odor-free, and 'no part of any enclosure shall be located less than forty feet from any neighbor's dwelling, and twenty feet from owner's property line.' Where one or more large farm animals or seven or more small farm animals are kept, an administrative use permit is required (24.12.630(7)), with review of slope/runoff, manure removal, and noise impacts.

Horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules have stricter standards under SCMC 24.12.640 (one per 20,000 sq ft, 40,000 sq ft minimum lot, use permit required). SCMC 8.14.420 separately makes it unlawful to permit livestock (ox, cow, horse, sheep, goat, hog, etc.) to be at large or pastured in any street or public place, and 8.14.430 bars dogs from injuring livestock including chickens. The City Code Compliance division identifies 'roosters' among common animal-keeping complaints; crowing roosters can also be cited as a prohibited animal noise under SCMC 8.14.390.