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

Despite Turlock's agricultural surroundings, the City sets firm limits on backyard fowl in its own Municipal Code. Section 6-1-105.1 ('Other domesticated animals') permits a resident to keep 'Six (6) domesticated fowl' - which covers backyard hens - alongside limits on other small animals. Subsection (c) is explicit and absolute: 'It shall be unlawful to own or keep at any residence any rooster.' So hens for eggs are allowed up to six, but no roosters of any kind are permitted anywhere in the city, a common protection against crowing-noise complaints. Housing must meet setback rules in subsection (b): 'Pens or other quarters for animals or fowl shall be kept or maintained only at a distance of twenty feet (20') from the rear property line and twenty-five feet (25') from the side property line.' Stables or barns may not be within 100 feet of a neighbor's dwelling. Fowl must also be contained: Section 6-1-108 makes it unlawful to permit 'chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, or other domestic fowl to run at large' or be herded on any street, alley, or public place, day or night. Fowl found at large can be impounded and held five days, then sold at auction if unclaimed (Sections 6-1-109 through 6-1-111). California has no statewide backyard-chicken cap, so these counts and setbacks are Turlock's local rules.