The City of Sonoma regulates keeping of livestock, fowl and other animals under Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 8.08. Chickens and small fowl are allowed in residential zones subject to setback and sanitation requirements, while dairies and commercial animal farms are prohibited.
Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 8.08 (Keeping of Livestock, Fowl and Other Animals) governs the keeping of animals within the city limits. SMC 8.02.040 defines 'livestock' as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, equines, llamas or other camelidae, or any domestic fowl or rabbit, and 'fowl' as chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other birds. Chapter 8.08 prohibits dairies and animal farms within the city and limits keeping of livestock and fowl to specific conditions, including sanitary maintenance and structural setbacks from neighboring dwellings. Existing pre-incorporation farms may continue under legal nonconforming status. Roosters are regulated as a public nuisance where they disturb neighbors under SMC Chapter 8.06 (Prohibited Conduct) noise provisions. State law also applies — California Food and Agricultural Code §30801 et seq. governs poultry and rabbit husbandry standards.
Violations of Chapter 8.08 are enforced as municipal infractions under Sonoma Municipal Code Title 1. Per SMC 1.12.010, the standard fine schedule is $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second within one year, and $500 for each additional violation. Continuing violations may be treated as separate offenses each day. Sonoma County Animal Services and the City of Sonoma Code Enforcement office handle complaints.
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