Tustin allows backyard hens but caps total birds, fowl and small animals at ten per parcel (TCC Sec. 4221(a)(2)). Crowing birds are banned except roosters, which are only permitted on large lots in the Cultural Resources Overlay District. Coops must be set back at least 50 feet from neighboring residences and birds may not run at large.
Under Tustin Municipal Code Sec. 4221(a)(2), it is unlawful to keep on a single parcel more than ten birds, fowl, hamsters, rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, nonpoisonous snakes, insects or rabbits, or any combination thereof. This ten-animal cap is the binding limit on hens; the code does not set a separate hen-only number, so all birds and listed small animals count toward the ten. "No crowing type birds or fowl are authorized" except roosters meeting the narrow exception in subsections (a)(3) and (b)(3). Section 4221(b) requires that no bird, fowl or rabbit be kept outside any closer than 50 feet from a neighboring residence. Such poultry may "under no circumstances be permitted to run at large" and must be confined in a suitable house or coop with an enclosed runway, kept clean, sanitary and free of offensive odors (TCC Sec. 4221(b)(1)-(2)). Keeping animals or fowl for commercial purposes in a residential zone is prohibited except in the R-A District or an authorized Planned Community (PC) District (TCC Sec. 4221(c)). Animals that disturb the peace or create odors or fly-breeding are a nuisance under TCC Sec. 4224. Confirm zoning and setbacks with Tustin Community Development before building a coop.
Exceeding the ten-bird limit, keeping crowing birds outside the rooster exception, allowing fowl to run at large, or failing to maintain a clean coop are violations of Chapter 2, generally charged as infractions (TCC Sec. 4210). Coops within 50 feet of a neighbor's residence are prohibited.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
tustin-ca
Under California SB 1383, Tustin requires residents to keep organic waste out of the trash. CR&R provides a three-cart system, and food scraps and yard trimm...
tustin-ca
Tustin allows synthetic turf in front and visible side yards but regulates its look and quality under the Synthetic Turf Standards (Ord. 1398, July 2015). Tu...
tustin-ca
Tustin encourages low-water and native plants and discourages invasives. The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Guidelines push water-conserving plant selec...
tustin-ca
Tustin has no ordinance banning rainwater harvesting; it actively encourages on-site capture. The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Ord. 1465) gives proje...
tustin-ca
Tustin runs its own water utility and imposes permanent restrictions under City Code Sec. 4953: irrigation 4 days/week (Apr-Oct) or 3 days/week (Nov-Mar), no...
tustin-ca
Tustin treats overgrown, dead, or decayed vegetation as a property-maintenance nuisance under City Code Sec. 5502, not as a separate weed-height ordinance. A...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle chickens & livestock.
See how Tustin's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.