Sonora, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

In December 2014 the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending the county zoning code (Title 17) to allow residents to keep a limited number of chickens in the R-1 single-family residential zoning district, where backyard poultry had previously been prohibited. As reported by the Union Democrat and myMotherLode at the time of passage, the approved tiered limits are up to two chickens on a half-acre or less, up to four chickens on lots between one-half and one acre, and up to six chickens on R-1 parcels of one acre or more. Roosters are prohibited because of the noise they create, and turkeys (including tom turkeys) are not permitted on parcels of less than one acre. The ordinance set a minimum healthy enclosure standard reported at about 10 square feet. Separately, the County Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 6.04) prohibits any person from allowing chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, squabs, or similar fowl to run or fly at large or go onto another person's premises. Because keeping poultry is regulated through the county's zoning code, exact setback, coop, and parcel rules depend on the property's zone; owners should confirm details for a specific parcel with the Tuolumne County Community Development / Planning Department.