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

010 sets the baseline: no livestock (defined in the code's definitions as domestic bovine, equine, caprine, ovine, porcine, corvine and ratite animals) may be kept in any R district, no rooster over four months of age may be kept anywhere in the city, and no more than six small animals may be kept or maintained on a property. 'Small animal' is defined to include hares, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, doves, pigeons, game birds and other fowl, so backyard chicken flocks fall under this six-animal cap and its companion husbandry rules.

020 requires housing structures to meet zoning setbacks and bars keeping small animals within 20 feet of any inhabitable dwelling unit other than the owner's or custodian's own. 100 impose detailed care standards: wholesome food in vermin-proof metal containers, clean water refreshed every 24 hours or supplied by a functioning automatic device, licensed veterinary care when needed, exercise opportunity, weatherproof and adequately sized shelter, and sanitary, fly-proof handling of manure and debris. 070 requires the keeping premises to be fenced against animals straying onto public streets or a neighbor's property, but carves out a homing-pigeon exception: pigeons may be released for exercise, training or competition if banded with a registry-issued serial number and they do not perch or linger on another's property without consent.