Tuolumne County's rural agricultural character allows chickens and livestock on most parcels in unincorporated areas. Title 17 zoning districts govern animal keeping based on parcel size and zoning designation.
Tuolumne County is a rural agricultural county where livestock keeping is a traditional land use. Under Title 17 zoning, agricultural and rural residential zones (A-10, A-20, AE-37, RE-1, RE-2, RE-5, RE-10) allow a wide range of livestock including cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry. Smaller residential lots may have restrictions on larger livestock but typically allow chickens and small animals. The county's Right to Farm ordinance protects existing agricultural operations from nuisance complaints. California Food & Agricultural Code §3482.5 (Right to Farm Act) further protects agricultural operations. Dog kennel operations require a conditional use permit.
Zoning violation for keeping livestock in non-permitted zone: Code Compliance enforcement. Dog kennel without CUP: zoning violation.
Sonora, CA
Sonora regulates leaf blower use under its general noise provisions and construction equipment hours. Gas-powered blowers must comply with California AB 1346...
Sonora, CA
Trailers including RVs may not remain on Sonora city streets for more than 12 hours. The city can fine and tow trailers exceeding this limit. Off-street RV s...
Sonora, CA
Sonora enforces California Building Code requirements for swimming pool barriers. All residential pools and spas must have compliant fencing or barriers at l...
Sonora, CA
Fence construction in Sonora may require a building permit under Municipal Code Title 15.10. Standard fences under 6 feet typically do not require a permit p...
Sonora, CA
Sonora regulates fence heights under Municipal Code Section 17.50.010 (height and space requirements). Limits vary by zoning district including R-1, R-2, R-3...
Sonora, CA
Sonora's Defensible Space Ordinance, adopted June 3, 2019, requires every property owner to maintain a 30-foot defensible space zone of cleared flammable veg...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Tuolumne County.
See how Sonora's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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