South Gate, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SGMC § 4.01.170(7)
- Overnight restraint
- Pen, corral, barn, rope or chain
- Public areas
- No pasturing, staking, or tying
- Enforcement
- Animal control director / SEAACA
Summary
South Gate bans keeping livestock, cattle, goats, hogs, sheep, horses, loose or tied in streets and requires them penned, corralled, or securely chained on private property.
No person owning any ox, steer, bull, cow, goat, hog, pig, sheep, horse, colt, mule, jack, jenny, hinny, fowl or any animal commonly referred to as a wild specie shall permit such animal to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public place in the city; or cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any street, lane, alley, park or other public area, or ... in any manner other than by enclosing such animal in a pen, corral or barn sufficient and adequate to restrain such animal
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4847832; v1 updated 2026-05-12; through 05-12-2026).
Full Breakdown
South Gate's animal code prohibits owners of oxen, steers, bulls, cows, goats, hogs, pigs, sheep, horses, mules and similar livestock from letting them run at large on any street, alley or public place, or from pasturing, herding, staking or tying them in a street, alley or park. On private property, livestock kept overnight must be enclosed in a pen, corral or barn adequate to restrain them, or securely fastened with a rope or chain of sufficient size and strength: a stake alone does not satisfy the code. Violations are enforced under the animal control chapter.
Violations & Fines
Running livestock loose in streets; pasturing, herding, staking or tying them in a public area; overnight restraint by stake alone instead of a pen, corral, barn, rope or chain
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a horse or cow loose in my yard in South Gate?
What happens if my livestock gets loose?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Gate
How South Gate compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare South Gate to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle chickens & livestock.