Simi Valley, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary Code
- Simi Valley Municipal Code § 9-44.060 (Animal Keeping)
- Overlay Zones
- Animal (A) – all farm animals; Limited (L) – limited species only
- Outside Overlay
- Minimum 20,000 sq ft + CUP required
- Hens in (L) Zone
- Max 5; coop 3-6 sq ft per hen; max 6 ft coop height
- Rooster Limit
- Fewer than 5 per parcel (VCC § 4494-3)
- Rooster Setback
- Minimum 40 ft from neighboring residences
- Tethering Roosters
- Prohibited (VCC § 4494-4)
Summary
To keep chickens or other farm animals in Simi Valley, the parcel must be inside the City's Animal (A) Overlay Zone (or the more restrictive Limited (L) Overlay Zone), or must be at least 20,000 square feet with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under Simi Valley Municipal Code § 9-44.060. Roosters are separately capped at four (4) per parcel under the adopted Ventura County Code § 4494-3, with a 40-foot setback from neighboring residences.
4494-3 - Rooster keeping. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Ventura County Ordinance Code, no person shall keep, maintain, control or harbor five (5) or more roosters on any parcel of real property within unincorporated Ventura County. This Section shall not apply to commercial poultry ranches whose primary commodity is the production of eggs or meat for sale as permitted by the County, public or private schools as registered with the California Department of Education, or nonprofit humane organization animal facilities. Future Farmers of America (FFA) or 4-H sponsored projects or legitimate poultry hobbyists may have up to five (5) roosters of the same breed for a maximum of twenty-five (25) roosters kept or maintained on any property in Ventura County, provided that such projects or hobbyists are approved in writing by the Director or any person authorized to act on behalf of the Division. (b) Each individual rooster beyond the rooster limit constitutes a separate violation. (c) Rooster enclosures shall have a minimum set back from adjacent residences of forty (40) feet.
Full Breakdown
Simi Valley's farm-animal rules are split between two codes. 060, 'Animal Keeping') requires that farm animals be kept on a parcel within an Animal Overlay Zone. The Animal (A) Overlay Zone permits all farm animals including chickens, while the Limited (L) Overlay Zone allows only burros, Columbiformes (pigeons/doves), donkeys, ducks, goats, horses, llamas, mules, ponies, and rabbits. Within the (L) Overlay Zone, hens are capped at five per parcel and must be kept in a coop with three to six square feet per hen and a maximum coop height of six feet.
060 must be met. For parcels outside any overlay zone, farm animals may be kept only as an accessory use on a minimum 20,000 sq ft parcel with an approved CUP. ) regulating roosters: no person may keep five or more roosters on a parcel; rooster enclosures must be set back at least 40 feet from adjacent residences; roosters may not be tethered; and roosters must have water, shelter, room to spread both wings and turn fully, and clean and sanitary premises.
Violations & Fines
Keeping farm animals outside an overlay zone without a CUP, or exceeding the per-zone limits, is a zoning violation enforceable by Code Enforcement. Keeping five or more roosters is a misdemeanor/infraction under VCC § 4494-5, and each rooster over the limit and each tethered rooster is a separate violation; an Animal Control Officer may also issue an administrative civil penalty under Article 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Simi Valley?
How many roosters can I have?
Are roosters defined by age or by sound?
How do I know if my parcel is in an Animal Overlay Zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
How Simi Valley compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Simi Valley to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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