Thousand Oaks, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback from dwellings
- 40 feet minimum
- Small animal space
- 50 sq ft of pen per sheep, goat, pig
- Large animal space
- 200 sq ft of corral per horse/cow (600 sq ft max requirement)
- Waste removal
- Every 7 days (unless kept on 5+ acres)
- Mistreatment penalty
- Misdemeanor + impoundment
Summary
Thousand Oaks allows residents to keep livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, and horses, but sets a minimum 40-foot setback from any home, school, or place of worship and requires a minimum amount of pen or corral space per animal. Owners must also keep enclosures fenced, reasonably clean, and free of odor and fly problems.
No livestock shall be housed, kept, or confined within the City except under the following conditions: (a) No livestock shall be housed, kept, or confined within forty (40') feet of any habitable dwelling, religious facility, school, or other place of human habitation except the dwelling of the owner thereof. (b) The following minimum lot area shall be provided per animal in addition to the area of any structure: (1) Fifty (50) square feet of pen for each sheep, goat, pig, or other small animal; and (2) Two hundred (200) square feet of corral for each horse, bovine, pony, colt, or other large animal, with a maximum of six hundred (600) square feet required.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-78: 2026 S-78 Supplement contains: Current city legislation passed through March 31, 2026).
Full Breakdown
101, no livestock may be housed within 40 feet of a habitable dwelling, religious facility, school, or other place of human habitation (except the owner's own home). Small animals like sheep, goats, and pigs require at least 50 square feet of pen space each, while large animals like horses and cattle require 200 square feet of corral each, capped at a 600 square foot requirement per animal. 5 years old need a 5-foot fence), and waste must be removed at least every 7 days unless the animal is kept on 5+ acres, in which case the enforcing authority can still order cleanup within 3 days if needed.
Owners must control offensive odors and dust, and an enforcement officer can require veterinary treatment (billed to the owner) for a sick or injured animal. An animal repeatedly mistreated through lack of food, water, sanitary conditions, or beatings must be impounded, and the owner is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Violations & Fines
General violations of this chapter are punishable under TOMC § 6-1.104, which makes any violation of the chapter's requirements a violation of the Code under Title 1, Chapter 2, § 1-2.01. Separately, an owner whose animal is found to be repeatedly mistreated (starved, denied water or sanitary conditions, or beaten) is guilty of a misdemeanor and the animal is impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must livestock be kept from my neighbor's house in Thousand Oaks?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thousand Oaks
How Thousand Oaks compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Thousand Oaks to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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